IAM Hotel Workers Ratify First Agreement

Monday November 12, 2007
For Immediate Release

Brampton, ON – The first hotel workers in Canada represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, have ratified their first collective agreement.

The 25 members of IAMAW Local Lodge 1922, employed at the Courtyard by Marriot Hotel in Brampton ratified a four-year agreement which provides wage increases of 75 cents per hour in each of the first two years and 50 cents per hour in each of the remaining two years. Wage rates will climb from $11.25 per hour to $13.00 per hour over the life of the agreement. Other agreement highlights include:

• 50 cent per hour premiums for lead hand and maintenance person
• Seniority Provisions
• Two new holidays – Civic and member’s birthday
• Three weeks vacation after five years
• Increased bereavement leave
• Dental coverage up to $3,000 per year for family
• Health Care coverage up to $14,000 per year for family
• $200 W.I. benefit for non work-related injuries

“Any time you can get your members a 20 per cent wage increase over the life of an agreement, it’s a good thing, especially when it’s a first agreement,” said IAMAW District 78 Directing Business Representative Gary Hynes. “These people were quite happy with the outcome and that’s what counts.” The members include cooks, bartenders, house keeping and maintenance staff.

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For further information:
Gary Hynes – IAMAW District 78 Directing Business Representative
416-225-9003/416-209-5638

Bill Trbovich – IAMAW Director of Communications
416-386-1789 ext 31/416-735-9765