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Harrison Hot Springs employees back to work after strike action

More than 200 workers took part in the three-day strike action over a summer weekend.
strike
Striking union employees at Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa on July 5, 2024.

Hundreds of workers at a popular B.C. resort are back to work after a three-day strike. 

Employees at Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa walked off the job on Friday at 7 a.m. after bargaining talks failed.

UNITE HERE Local 40 union spokesperson Michelle Travis says workers returned to work on Monday morning. 

“Workers felt like they delivered a strong message to hotel management that their concerns should be taken seriously,” says Travis.  

Workers are paid between $18 and $21 an hour. They are striking for fair wages and a reversal of concessions made during the pandemic, according to the union. 

Harrison Hot Springs Resort is owned by Aldesta Hotel Group, a subsidiary of Salience Global Holdings. Aldesta Hotels and Resorts also owns Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, luxury waterfront resorts, and two islands along the Great Barrier Reef.

Glacier Media has reached out to the company for comment but has not heard back.

"It’s time for the company to invest in good quality jobs at the resort to retain workers and improve the guest experience, which will in turn benefit the town of Harrison Hot Springs,” says Travis. 

According to the union, the resort has "rebounded" since the pandemic but staffing levels have not increased.

"We expect we’ll return the bargaining table soon,” says Travis. 

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