Strike ends at Surrey hotel
Unionized hotel staff return to work after 136-day strike in Surrey, closing a tense chapter at one of the city’s major hotels. The job action by Unifor Local 3000 members began in July and stretched through the busy fall conference season.
Workers reached a new collective agreement with the operators of the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel. The deal covers housekeepers, front‑line staff, kitchen workers and other hotel employees who walked the picket line for more than four months.
Wage gains and workplace improvements
The contract runs for five years and includes a 6.5 per cent retroactive wage increase. Non‑gratuity earners receive a total pay bump of 18.5 per cent effective on ratification, followed by three per cent increases in 2027 and 2028.
Gratuity earners gain a 6.5 per cent increase on their current rate and keep a wage that stays three and a half per cent above minimum wage. Red Seal cooks also receive an additional one‑dollar‑per‑hour premium, reflecting their training and certification.
Beyond wages, the union highlights new language on housekeeping workload, paid sick days and a footwear allowance of up to $200. These provisions aim to reduce injuries, support health, and make heavy physical work more sustainable over time.
Community impact of the dispute
The 136‑day strike at the Sheraton rippled through Surrey’s events and tourism sector. Several fall functions shifted to other venues while unionized hotel staff return to work after 136-day strike in Surrey.
The Surrey & White Rock Business Excellence Awards, for example, moved to a different Surrey location. Organizers wanted to avoid crossing picket lines while still hosting their annual celebration of local businesses.
Writers’ conference forced to cancel
The Surrey International Writers’ Conference felt the impact even more sharply. In August, organizers announced they would cancel the multi‑day October gathering for the first time in 33 years. They described themselves as “heartbroken” but said the labour dispute made it impossible to move ahead as planned.
To keep the conference alive for future years, the group launched a $300,000 fundraising campaign. The goal is to secure enough support to bring the event back in 2026 and beyond, once finances stabilize and venue options open up again.
What the deal means going forward
For workers, the settlement marks a return to steady income after months on the picket line. Many say the gains on wages, scheduling and workloads justify the sacrifice and should help with rising living costs in Surrey.
For the hotel and the broader hospitality sector, the end of the dispute means more certainty heading into 2026. With unionized hotel staff return to work after 136-day strike in Surrey, local tourism operators hope to rebuild relationships with conference organizers, guests and the community, while keeping a closer eye on working conditions that sparked the walkout in the first place.
Stay updated instantly — follow us on Instagram | Facebook | X
Leave a comment