Workers at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal have given themselves a new strike mandate, which could extend to an unlimited strike.
Members were called to vote on this new strike mandate at a meeting held on Sunday afternoon.
According to the union, the new mandate was approved by 95% of the workers who voted on it.
The union members of this large Montreal hotel had to adopt a new mandate since they had used their last three strike days of the previous mandate on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The new strike mandate, which could extend to an unlimited general strike, may be used at any time deemed appropriate.
The union now hopes that “the threat of a larger strike” will unblock negotiations with the employer.
“This week, our negotiating team will be hard at work to reach an agreement and avoid a strike,” said Michel Valiquette, who is responsible for the hotel sector and treasurer of the Fédération du commerce, affiliated with the CSN, in a press release.
“As of today, we will make counter-proposals to the employer, particularly with regard to training, placement agencies and workload,” he said.
Hoteliers ready to negotiate
The 600 workers at the Queen Elizabeth are currently negotiating alongside employees of several other Quebec hotels for the renewal of their collective agreement.
Last week, workers from around twenty hotels went on strike for a day to protest the slow pace of negotiations with the employer.
Several unions, including that of the Queen Elizabeth, have also held surprise strike days in recent weeks.
Hotel workers are demanding a 36% wage increase over four years.
They are also demanding three weeks of vacation from the first year of service, an employer contribution to the group insurance plan and better supervision of training for the next generation.
On Saturday, the Greater Montreal Hotel Association assured that hoteliers are ready to negotiate “tirelessly to find an agreement that is beneficial for all parties.”
“The strikes are taking hostage not only employees, but also the many visitors passing through the metropolis,” she argued.
The coordinated negotiation brings together approximately 3,500 hotel workers from the Capitale-Nationale, Estrie, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean and Greater Montreal regions.