Strike averted at Victoria’s Empress Hotel

The Fairmont Empress Hotel, in Victoria, B.C. (Fairmont Empress)

Victoria’s landmark Fairmont Empress Hotel will not be behind picket lines this weekend, after the hotel and the union representing its workers reached a last-minute deal.

Members of Unifor Local 4276 voted 99 per cent in favour of job action on April 1, and they notified their employer earlier this week that picket lines could go up as soon as Saturday.

That deadline came and went without any strike action, and a notice on the union’s website says the parties have reached a tentative agreement.

“After the union served 72-hour strike notice Wednesday morning, your bargaining committee negotiated past midnight on Friday, into the early hours of Saturday, pushing to get the best deal possible,” the notice reads, adding that a ratification meeting will be held on Monday to present and vote on the tentative deal.

“We thank you all for your incredible patience, solidarity and hard work. We would not have achieved this without your support. We look forward to seeing you at the ratification meeting.”

​The union represents those in housekeeping, maintenance, banquet events and other departments at the Empress, a historic luxury hotel that opened in 1908 on Victoria’s harbourfront and serves as one of the city’s most iconic attractions.

With files from The Canadian Press