UNITE HERE – Urgent Request for Solidarity

UNITE HERE served strike notice on August 19 and were immediately counter-served with lock-out notice by Hotel Georgia. 

Dear Labour Allies, 

As you know, we have been in contract negotiations with five Downtown Vancouver hotels.  While the Hotel Georgia, Westin, Hyatt, Four Seasons, and Pinnacle have enjoyed record profits over the past several years, they will not ensure a contract with a livable wage, a decent retirement, safe workload, or stable jobs, which would benefit over 1,500 families.  The safety of women in the hospitality industry is also a top concern, as more and more women have come forward with disturbing stories of sexual harassment and sexual assault.

August 19, the Hotel Georgia served 72 hour lock-out notice. We see this as a bullying tactic designed to scare our members into a cheap contract without respect.

As part of our bargaining support campaign, we are asking all unions to  write to each of the hotels and tell them that, at the request of UNITE HERE Local 40, they intend to cancel current bookings and not to book any new business with them until the dispute is over.   Two sample letters are linked below for you to use for the hotels with which you do business.  One is for the Hotel Georgia, and the other can be used for the Hyatt, Westin, Pinnacle, and Four Seasons.  Please send the signed letter to haugustino@unitehere.org or by fax at 604-291-2676 as soon as possible and we will deliver it to the hotels in our upcoming actions.  Please do not move any business until we ask you to take that next step.

The support of the labour movement for our members and in particular for women in the hospitality industry has been tremendous as we fight for our new standard for our industry.  Thank you for your solidarity.

Please call me if you have any questions or if you would like more information about our campaign.  

In Solidarity,

Harley Augustino

Lead Organizer 

UNITE HERE Local 40

______________________

Sample Letters