Tensions flare at Best Western workers' strike in downtown Windsor

Dozens of people who work at the Best Western hotel in downtown Windsor are striking for higher pay after contract negotiations collapsed, the workers' union says.

The roughly 40 members of Unifor Local 195 at the waterfront hotel went on strike after the clock struck midnight on Sunday.

"The workers walked off their jobs as the contract expired, following a breakdown in negotiations between the union and the employer," the union wrote on social media.

The hotel is owned by FHC Hotels & Resorts Inc., a subsidiary of Farhi Holdings Corporation. The company said in a statement that it "is disappointed by the strike action initiated by Unifor," adding that it has made "continued efforts to reach a fair and reasonable agreement through good-faith bargaining."

Tensions at the picket line have already run high, with the company on Monday accusing picketers of assaulting a replacement worker as they tried to enter the building.

Tyler McDiarmid, the CEO of Ironwood Management — which runs the hotel and provided the statement — said in a phone interview that the worker was grabbed, pushed, and blocked from entering the building. Windsor police confirmed they are investigating, but said they could not provide more details until the probe is complete. 

Emile Nabbout, the union local's president, said Monday that he was not at the picket line and therefore couldn't confirm whether an incident took place, but said the company had emailed him about an alleged assault. 

Nabbout said there are "always issues" at picket lines as people fight for their jobs, and said hiring replacement labour can lead to "uncomfortable" situations. 

Police could be seen at the hotel earlier in the day. Tammy Smith, the union chairperson, said the officer was there to educate striking workers on what they're allowed to do.

"And of course, we're going to keep this peaceful, but keep the tempers down," she said. 

Smith said none of the striking workers expected the hotel to bring in replacement labour, but confirmed the hotel was still operating.

"They did bring in scab labour and that's quite upsetting," she said. 

The union represents hotel staff at the front desk as well as housekeeping and maintenance. Smith said the last time they went on strike was in 1987, the year before she started working there.

At the heart of the labour dispute is workers' pay, which sits just above minimum wage. Smith said they also want the company to take concessions off the table. 

"Our housekeepers make $18 an hour and it's just – they're barely able to make their bills," Smith said. "You've got people here who've been here anywhere 20, 30, 35 years who are making $18 an hour."

Smith, who works in customer service at the hotel's front desk, said she's worked there for 37 years and makes $19 per hour.  

"I truly don't know why they're not willing to give us a living wage, a decent living wage," Smith said, adding that the minimum wage in Ontario is going up to $17.60 in October. 

"We need to get up there," she said. 

The company says it has increased pay over the past three years despite facing "soaring costs in property taxes, utilities, insurance, and rising interest rates.

"Like many in the hospitality industry, we are operating under significant financial strain, compounded by recession warnings from major financial institutions," the statement said.

The company also said its contract offer to the union "would provide the employees the best overall compensation of any private-sector hotel in the region."

In the phone interview, McDiarmid said the offer would increase the lowest-paid workers' wages to roughly $18.85 per hour, which he said was in line with what some research has established as a living wage for the region. 

The living wage in southwestern Ontario, which includes Windsor and Sarnia, jumped 6.4 per cent between 2023 and last year, landing at $19.85 per hour, according to the Ontario Living Wage Network. 

Nabbout, the head of the union local, said the employer's offer is "absolutely" not enough and "insulting" compared to Farhi's profits.  

Both he and Smith urged the company to return to the negotiating table. 

"Let's negotiate and pull out a little bit of money to get these people back to work," Smith said. "That's all we want to do. We just want a fair contract and take those concessions off the table."

The company's statement said it remains "ready to resume discussions at any time."