Unifor members at the Best Western Plus Waterfront in Windsor have ratified a new three-year collective agreement, ending a two-month strike that began in June.
The deal includes wage increases, a signing bonus, improved healthcare benefits, additional paid personal holidays and an enhanced retirement package. Workers will also receive a new parking benefit that saves approximately $500 per year.
Contract details
The agreement establishes a wage floor one dollar per hour above Ontario’s minimum wage, providing income security for hotel staff. The contract also protects against rollbacks that workers had been facing before the strike began.
“It was very important for these workers and Unifor to take a stand at a hotel where members were facing rollbacks. They stood together and stood firm,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Members across the country rallied behind these determined hospitality workers to support their fight for fairness.”
The strike affected operations at the downtown Windsor hotel, which serves business and leisure travellers near the Detroit River waterfront.
Union support
Unifor Local 195 members received backing from the broader union during the labour dispute. The union represents hospitality workers across multiple properties in the Windsor area.
“Workers don’t take strikes lightly, but sometimes they are necessary to fight for better working conditions,” said Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi. “Local 195 members at the Best Western faced tough days but never stood alone.”
Unifor represents 320,000 workers across Canada in the private sector, including employees in hospitality, manufacturing, transportation and other industries.
