UFCW Canada Eastern Provinces Council Local 864 members working at The Hollis Halifax have come to terms on a new five-year collective agreement bringing in increased wages, more paid time off and improved contract language.
One of the largest gains came in the base starting wages, with housekeepers jumping an extra $1.55 per hour following ratification, including a jump of $1.06 retroactive to May 8.
Maintenance staff saw an even larger increase of $2.50 per hour.
From there, all workers employed as housekeepers, room attendants and maintenance persons will all be seeing an additional 10.5 per cent wage increase over the subsequent four-year period through bi-annual raises.
Rules surrounding employee probation were also laid out, with employees required to work 480 hours to complete probation and gain access to the footwear allowance of $125.
Paid employee sick days have been upped to five, as well as the addition of Natal Day to the list of paid holidays.
One of the largest non-financial gains include creating a joint labour/management committee including 2 representatives from hotel management and 3 from the union, two workers and their full-time rep.
Several language changes have also been made to better reflect the membership including bereavement improvements to cover the loss of a stepmother, stepfather, step children, adopted children or legal guardians, along with the implementation of Nova Scotia Labour Standards for qualifying for a holiday.
The five-year contact will run until May of 2029.
