14 Months on the Line Wins 30.5% Increases for Sheraton Workers

Aug. 19, 2024

We Did It! Sheraton Vancouver Airport Workers Win Living Wages in New Contract, Ending Strike

After a 14-month strike, hotel workers at Sheraton Vancouver Airport have ratified a new collective agreement with their employer that secures living wages and stronger economic security. This brings an end to the strike and lifts the boycott of the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel and its sister hotels next door, Hilton Vancouver Airport and Vancouver Airport Marriott. Workers will be returning to their jobs in coming days to welcome guests back to Sheraton.

“This is amazing. I’ll earn $26 an hour when I go back to work and will make over $30 an hour at the end of this contract. We feel really good about what we achieved. The strike was difficult, and it took a long time to get here, but we are so proud of what we were able to win together. We love our hotel and are excited to welcome our guests back to the Sheraton,” said Ana Wong, a room attendant with 32 years on the job.

The striking workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 40, secured 30.5% increases for all Sheraton employees, including significant increases at ratification. That means staff will be earning a living wage as they return to work and have secured meaningful wage increases to keep up with the rising cost of living. Most room attendants, for example, will be earning over $30 per hour by the end of 2026.

The agreement provides for return-to-work bonuses, an increase in banquet workers’ gratuities as well as transparency and other tip protections. Room attendants secured daily room cleaning language which helps ensure safer workloads and a better guest experience. The contract also provides for new health benefits for workers, including year-round benefits – a rarity in the hospitality sector – and establishes new sick days. Over 85% of members voted in favour of the new agreement which expires in 2027.

“I feel very good about this contract. The last 14 months have been hard and exhausting, but we held together like a family. My co-workers on the picket line were fantastic. We knew we had to fight and work hard for a new contract, and we stuck together. The company now has a better understanding of what the needs are for our jobs, and we feel good about moving forward together. I want to thank our customers who supported us during this strike and invite them all to come back to the hotel,” said Russell Jamieson, a shuttle driver who has worked at the hotel for 42 years.

“The Union Bargaining Committee stood together through thick and thin during a challenging 14 months. The strikers were tough and demonstrated incredible resolve in deciding to stay on the picket line to fight for themselves and their families. This new agreement sets the Union on a new path with Larco Hospitality, and we look forward to forging ahead in a productive and positive working relationship with them,” said Zailda Chan, President of UNITE HERE Local 40.

Sheraton workers launched the strike on June 14, 2023, and received a tremendous amount of support from the labour movement, elected officials, community allies and hotel customers. The boycotts issued by the BC Federation of Labour and Canadian Labour Congress of Sheraton Vancouver Airport, the Hilton Vancouver Airport, and Marriott Vancouver Airport have been lifted.

Thank you for all your support over the last 14 months!

In solidarity,

UNITE HERE Local 40