Sheraton Vancouver Guildford workers launch strike following breakdown in contract talks

The workers, represented by Unifor Local 3000, include room attendants, front desk agents, banquet servers, kitchen staff and maintenance personnel. The bargaining unit comprises approximately 120 full-time and 24 part-time employees.

The previous contract expired in April 2024. According to the union, bargaining efforts continued for over a year before workers voted to reject a tentative agreement and proceed with strike action. The legal strike has already begun.

The hotel is owned by Vancouver-based Pacific Reach Properties, a private investment firm with holdings in real estate, hospitality, healthcare and technology. Labour negotiations are conducted on the company’s behalf by Hospitality Industrial Relations (HIR), an organization that represents multiple hotel operators in the province.

Key issues in the negotiations, according to the union, include wage increases amid rising living costs in the Lower Mainland. Workers remain off the job as of July 8, with picket lines in place outside the hotel.

The union has stated that it remains available for further negotiations. The employer has not publicly commented on the strike or the status of negotiations as of publication.