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Topic: Strong strike vote by workers at 16 Montréal area hotels

lagatta
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 2534

posted 13 July 2005 08:45 PM

I remember the first drive to form a "real", militant union at a Montréal hotel, the Méridien. It was spearheaded by fearless Chilean refugees.

This is a very important struggle for all those concerned about the whole "workers of colour/immigrant workers" nexus. Lots of women ... and a good number of LGBT workers in that field as well.

Though it is always hard to be on strike (I was on strike for 7 1/2 months one time) the workers kicked their drive off with a Carneval type celebration at Place du Canada...

From: Se non ora, quando? | Registered: Apr 2002 | IP: Logged

robbie_dee
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 195

posted 14 July 2005 04:01 PM

Are there any Montreal hotel workers left in UNITE/HERE, or are they all members of the CSN? I am assuming the "militant union" you are referring to is CSN. Also, if you have any links I would appreciate it as I would like to read more about this.

From: Iron City | Registered: Apr 2001 | IP: Logged

kingblake
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3453

posted 14 July 2005 04:11 PM

Same here. Also, lagatta, I was looking for some numbers on the ethnic composition of CSN members the other day. Do you have any idea where I should look?

From: In Regina, the land of Exotica | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

lagatta
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 2534

posted 14 July 2005 05:37 PM

Robbie, I honestly don't know. All the striking unions are CSN.

Kingblake, start out with the Montreal Central Council (Conseil central de Montréal) de la CSN or le service de recherches. I did research on the question, but that was a good 20 years ago.

A lot of the labour left and "workers of colour/immigrant workers" pushed hard for a more inclusive CSN - there were a lot of conferences and studies on the issue in the late 1970s - early 1980s but the impact was less thorough than the discourse.

But seeing the workers' carneval and the strong strike vote, I get the feeling that progress is really being made, from below. A slow, difficult process.

For people outside Québec, the CSN is nominally (and often in practice) very left-wing and certainly supportive of feminism, international solidarity issues, immigrant and "visible minority" workers rights. But there seems to be a glass ceiling for most people who aren't pure-laine francophones. I think things are changing, but not fast enough.

From: Se non ora, quando? | Registered: Apr 2002 | IP: Logged

robbie_dee
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 195

posted 16 July 2005 07:29 PM

Reuters: Seven Montreal Hotels Sign Union Contract, Avert Strike. Talks Continue Without Agreement at Ten Others.

quote:
Seven Montreal area hotels have reached new labor pacts with their 1,850 workers, averting a strike set for Friday, but last-minute contract talks dragged on at 10 other hotels.
About 200 workers at the Omni hotel walked off the job on Friday, joining 110 from the Crowne Plaza Metro-Center, who were locked out last Saturday.
Some 3,000 employees, mainly receptionists, bellhops and other hotel service workers, at 17 hotels had promised to strike on Friday if they did not reach new three-year agreements on wages and pensions.
Each hotel is negotiating separately with its workers, who are represented by Quebec's Confederation of National Trade unions.
The union said strikes would not begin at the hotels still in negotiations.
Workers at the Ritz Carlton, Bonaventure Hilton, Hyatt Regency, Queen Elizabeth and Delta Center-Ville reached agreements on Thursday night.
The Queen Elizabeth and Delta are owned by Legacy Hotels Real Estate Investment Trust and managed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Inc.
Agreements were also reached with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.'s Center Sheraton in Montreal and a Hilton Hotels Corp. hotel in the nearby suburb of Laval.
A hotel strike would hit at the height of the summer tourist season and just as the swimming World Championships are set to begin on Sunday.
About 2,000 athletes from 160 countries, 1,300 team and competition officials, 1,300 media personnel and thousands of spectators will descend on Montreal for the championships, which will include swimming, diving, synchronized swimming and water polo.
A strike would also coincide with Montreal's annual comedy festival and an international fireworks competition.

From: Iron City | Registered: Apr 2001 | IP: Logged

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