Rally for Coast Victoria Workers - Local 40! - update - workers won their fight

Coast Victoria Hotel Workers Make History and Big Gains; Lockout Ends!

After a historic 77 days on the picket line, through wind, rain, and a record-breaking tourist season, UNITE HERE Local 40 members at Coast Victoria Hotel & Marina by APA, have ratified a new collective agreement that delivers wage increases of up to 21% for hotel staff and other gains, marking a major victory for workers.

The workers’ dispute with Coast Victoria and its owner, APA Group, represents the longest hotel strike and lockout in Victoria’s history.

“I’m so proud of our bargaining committee and what we accomplished together as a group,” said Melissa Irvine, a room attendant and member of the union bargaining committee. “We stood strong, and no one crossed the picket line. The strike and the lockout were both intense and difficult, but we didn’t give up. We fought to the end to win what we deserve.”

The lockout began after workers took strike actions, supported by over 90% of the workers, seeking living wages and better working conditions during Victoria’s most profitable tourist season in years. Rather than back down, workers turned the hotel’s front steps into a symbol of courage and determination – drawing support from community members, local unions, and elected officials.

The workers’ fight spread beyond Victoria to Calgary and Chilliwack, where the hotel’s parent company APA Group operates other Coast Hotels. Supporters joined workers to rally in both cities and urged customers to support fair treatment of hospitality workers.

The BC Federation of Labour backed the workers with a boycott of Coast Victoria Hotel and its Blue Crab Seafood House, which will now be lifted.

Workers will begin returning to work this week to welcome back guests. Please patronize Coast Victoria and the Blue Crab again!

Sincerely,

UNITE HERE Local 40