Unifor members on the picket line at Best Western Plus in Windsor on Sunday

Best Western staff walked off the job early Sunday.

Best Western Plus employees in Windsor are on the picket line today in a push for fair wages.

Represented by Unifor Local 195, Tammy Smith, a chairperson for union members at the hotel, told CTV News workers walked off the job after talks broke down.

About a dozen picketers stood along the hotel front entrance on Riverside Drive with “On Strike” signs in hand.

“We don’t make high wages. Our housekeepers, for instance, are at $18 an hour. We’re trying to get to a living wage,” Smith said.

According to Smith, the employer’s counteroffer included concessions.

“We have to make our stand this time,” Smith said.

Ironwood Management Corp., the hotel’s management company, gave the following statement for CTV News on behalf of Farhi Holdings Corporation (FHC), the owner of the Best Western Plus:

“FHC Hotels and Resorts Inc., owner of the Best Western Plus Windsor, is disappointed by the strike action initiated by Unifor, particularly given our continued efforts to reach a fair and reasonable agreement through good-faith bargaining. Over the past three years, we have increased wages even as we face soaring costs in property taxes, utilities, insurance, and rising interest rates. Like many in the hospitality industry, we are operating under significant financial strain, compounded by recession warnings from major financial institutions.

Despite these challenges, we remain committed to providing our employees with competitive compensation and stable, long-term employment. Consistent with that, our offer would provide the employees the best overall compensation of any private-sector hotel in the region. Unfortunately, employees have not been provided details of that offer. We have asked the union to allow its members to vote on the proposal so they can make an informed decision, but that request has been denied. Unifor has also declined to engage the Ministry of Labour Relations or to consider mediation or arbitration -processes specifically designed to help resolve disputes like this.

We remain ready to resume discussions at any time and encourage Unifor to work with us toward a resolution that serves the best interests of both employees and guests, while preserving the long-term viability of the hotel."

As of 10 a.m., guests at the hotel were not being impacted by the strike, Smith said.

Attempts to make reservations on the hotel’s website show there are “no rooms available” for the upcoming week.

“Unifor members at Best Western Plus deserve wages that reflect the value they bring to the hospitality sector and respect for the hard work they do every day,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne in a news release.

“Instead of seeking to improve working conditions, the employer has demanded concessions. Our members won’t stand for it.”

Unifor represents roughly 40 people in various services at the hotel.

Employees walked off the job at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday. Unifor has called on the employer to return to the bargaining table with a serious offer that increases wages and withdraws concessions.

“Hotel workers should not be asked to accept less while the hospitality industry continues to recover and grow,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi. “This strike is about protecting decent work and dignity for every worker who makes this hotel run.”

CTV News has reached out to Unifor Local 195 President Emile Nabbout for comment.