By Harinder Mahil

After a long strike, workers at Sheraton Vancouver Airport hotel have ratified a new collective agreement with their employer that secures decent wages and stronger economic security. This brings an end to a 14-month bitter strike and lifts the boycott of the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel and its sister hotels next door, Hilton Vancouver Airport and Vancouver Airport Marriott. 

Workers, a significant percentage of whom are from immigrant communities including South Asians, will be returning to their jobs in coming days.

The Sheraton had been slapped with multiple cease and desist orders over the past year for using scabs. In January,Richmond's city council voted to boycott the Sheraton along with adjoining hotels the Marriott and the Hilton.

The striking workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 40, secured 30.5% increases for all Sheraton employees, including significant increases at ratification. That means staff will be earning a living wage as they return to work and have secured meaningful wage increases to keep up with the rising cost of living. Most room attendants will be earning over $30 per hour by the end of 2026.

The agreement provides for return-to-work bonuses, an increase in banquet workers’ gratuities as well as transparency and other tip protections. Room attendants secured daily room cleaning language which helps ensure safer workloads and a better guest experience. 

The contract also provides for new health benefits for workers, including year-round benefits – a rarity in the hospitality sector – and establishes new sick days. Over 85% of members voted in favour of the new agreement which expires in 2027.

Sheraton workers launched the strike on June 14, 2023, and received support from the labour movement, elected officials, community allies and hotel customers. The boycotts issued by the BC Federation of Labour and Canadian Labour Congress of Sheraton Vancouver Airport, the Hilton Vancouver Airport, and Marriott Vancouver Airport have been lifted.

UNITE HERE Local 40 represents workers throughout BC who work in hotels, food service and airports. The Union has a diverse membership that includes workers from many immigrant communities. The majority of Union’s members are women.

Trade union movement has played and continues to play an important role for South Asians in British Columbia. It is important to note that the South Asian community won the right to vote in British Columbia 1950 with the support of trade unions.

Trade unions provide several benefits to workers such as negotiating fair wages and working conditions, representing them in disputes with employers, providing legal support and advice when needed, offering training programs for skill development, and advocating for their rights at a broader societal level.

Harinder Mahil is a human rights activist and is president of the West Coast Coalition Against Racism (WCCAR).