Strike over at Best Western Plus Waterfront Hotel in Windsor

The strike at the Best Western Plus Waterfront hotel in Windsor is over, as the two sides have ratified a deal.

The two-month long strike at Best Western Plus Waterfront Hotel in Windsor is over.

The workers, who are represented by Unifor Local 195, voted 93 per cent in favour of the three-year deal.

Local 195 President Emile Nabbout said the agreement includes wage increases and lump sum payments.

It also includes improved healthcare benefits, more paid personal holidays, and an improved retirement incentive package.

He said both sides found a way to address workers’ concerns.

“We have found a way to offset the wages,” he said.

“We have offset the wages in many different ways to address the concern of our members as well one of the classifications that was at the lower rate, they have a special supplement in this deal.”

Nabbout said there are wage increases throughout the life of the deal.

“The wage increases remain at 2.5 per cent in each year of the agreement. However, the largest classification is a little bit over than four per cent, but again, we have find a way, the difference money we were in dispute with the company, we find it in many different methods to be given it to the members,” said Nabbout.

He said it looks like it’s a ‘winnable’ deal for all sides.

“After 62 days, both the employer and the union managed a way to resolve this labour dispute,” he said.

“Our members are well-respected, high-quality work, delivering a great service, we want to open this hotel back to the guests.”

The deal also features a new parking benefit that will save the workers roughly $500 per year.

The union and Ironwood Management Corporation, the official management for the hotel on Riverside Drive reached a tentative deal on Thursday.

37 full and part time workers including those in guest services, housekeeping, and maintenance hit the picket line on June 1 to back contract demands.

In mid-June, the striking workers rejected the company’s ‘final offer’, in a vote conducted by the Ontario Labour Relation Board.

The workers voted 90 per cent against the offer.

Nabbout said the workers will return to work Sunday evening.

- Written by Rob Hindi/AM800 News.