The union representing workers at the Ramada Hotel is growing frustrated over the lack of progress made during contract talks with the downtown hotel in Prince George.
In an interview today with My PG Now, UNITE HERE Local 40 Spokesperson, Octavian Cadebeschi believes it all comes down to compensation.
“At this point, our members are still up to four dollars behind workers at the Coast Inn of the North, another union hotel of comparable quality. In addition, our members are growing increasingly frustrated over the month’s management has not been listening to us.”
However, hotel general manager Arlene DeWilde isn’t hearing that side of the argument from the union.
“I don’t have any indication of that being the case. I think the last time we went to negotiation was eight months ago and we were just waiting to hear back from our offer and we just got one in January so that’s why we are going back to the table.”
The 100 workers at the Ramada have not received a wage increase in over three years and have not had a working contract since June of 2017.
Cadabeschi says a similar deal to the one that was struck with Coast Hotel employees in the northern capital is the only way out of the labour stalemate.
“Our members have been pushing for a certain standard like the Coast and our members think that should be the case. The management at the Coast has been willing to meet that and exceed it in some ways and we really hope the Ramada is able to move along those same lines.”
DeWilde is very receptive to getting a deal done and is of the opinion some common ground can be reached.
“Well, I think we are all on the same page as we all want to get this settled. We are scheduled to talk on February the 5th to go back to negotiations and I haven’t had any indication from the union of any strike vote.”
To be blunt, the union believes the current model isn’t good enough.
“The frustration really comes down to the fact that for months, and months and months the hotel doesn’t want to recognize our members are significantly behind the standard and I don’t know how they’re not getting that,” said Cadebeschi.
Last week, a rally was held outside the hotel where it was announced a strike vote would take place next Wednesday (February 6th) a day after the next bargaining session is scheduled.