Queen Elizabeth hotel locks out unionized workers in Montreal

“Not only is Queen Elizabeth stubbornly refusing to grant all the gains achieved through coordinated bargaining, notably on the important issues of workload and the use of private agencies, it is also throwing a spanner in the works on local issues,” writes the Fédération du commerce (FC-CSN). “The climate is particularly tense at this bargaining table, where anti-union tactics have been multiplying for months. This lockout comes on top of the one at the Radisson Hotel since Nov. 1, and the unlimited general strike at the Hotel PUR in Quebec City since Sept. 13.”

The Queen Elizabeth says, “They remain committed to finding a solution that respects the interests of its employees. […] And they remain open to dialogue and hopes to resume negotiations constructively to reach a quick and satisfactory resolution for all parties involved.”

“Queen Elizabeth had everything in hand to put the labour dispute behind it. Instead of working to bring the negotiations to a close by granting the gains achieved through coordinated bargaining, the employer is locking itself into a childish anti-union logic. If we’ve managed to settle at more than 17 hotels, there’s no reason why we can’t reach a satisfactory agreement at the Queen Elizabeth,” explains Alexandre Laviolette, president of the Fédération du commerce (FC-CSN).

The hotel in the meantime is apologizing for any inconvenience the lockout may cause to their clients and partners. “We want to reassure our clientele that we are doing everything possible to minimize disruptions and maintain quality service.”