The union representing workers it says were locked out by the Hilton Metrotown says it has rejected the hotel’s latest offer of binding arbitration.
Workers and supporters recently marked one year of what they say were mass layoffs and locking out of employees, renewing calls for a fair agreement to be reached.
In an email to the NOW, Unite Here Local 40 spokesperson Stephanie Fung said workers declined the hotel’s proposal because they decided “it wasn’t the best process to resolve outstanding issues.”
“We continue to work with the mediator to find a resolution and we’re talking with the workers to figure out next steps.”
The union says the location locked out room attendants, front desk agents, banquet, and kitchen staff on April 16, 2021, after terminating 97 long-term staff, impacting at least 50 workers who live in Burnaby — a move the union has called "mass firings" when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Hilton Metrotown denies workers are locked out, insists it’s a strike
While Unite Here Local 40 and workers say they’ve been locked out, the hotel disagrees.
A statement sent to the NOW on April 14, 2022, said the union cancelled mediation dates in March of this year, while adding workers “are free to return to work at anytime” and insisted the union is actually on strike.
"HVM (Hilton Vancouver Metrotown) believes this [binding arbitration] is the most sensible path forward to bring closure to this long dispute," the statement explained.
"We believe it is time to put this dispute behind all of us, and to move forward."
“While the union claims they were locked out, that is simply not accurate.”
The statement acknowledged a “significant number” of workers at the hotel did see seniority rights under the collective agreement expire before the dispute began.
The union worked to have the employees reinstated with seniority, something the hotel says they agreed to more than six months ago.
"The Hilton Vancouver Metrotown remains an important hub for the City of Burnaby, and a meaningful employer for upwards of 200 valued associates. We do not believe a continuing labour dispute is in the best interests of our associates, the hotel or our community.
While workers were offered to come back, Fung says it was conditioned and claims workers would have had to give up union health and pension benefits, paid time off and workload protections that protect health and safety.
“That’s an impossible choice for workers.”
