Bundled up against the cold with white and red bibs proclaiming “UFCW local on strike”, about 20 people were marching along the sidewalks around the Best Western Seven Oaks Inn on north Albert Street Monday.
Several restaurant, front lobby, and other staff represented by the local United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) started job action. Despite some initial contract discussions, the union took a strike vote earlier this month and some workers went off the job at 7 a.m. Monday.
“We came in with an offer of $15 for the floor, as a starting wage, and we see that as inherent across North America,” explained UFCW’s Norm Nault.
So far, the hotel said the job action is not impacting guest services.
“We are business as usual, there is no impact, we have many people working,” maintained owner and manager Glenn Weir.
Not everyone is in favour of the job action – of the 100 workers UFCW represents at the hotel, about 20 are choosing to take part in this job action.
The contract ended earlier this month.