There will be at least one more 24-hour hotel strike in Toronto over the weekend, organizers announced at the Royal York Hotel Friday afternoon.
Organizers said the Holiday Inn hotel at 280 Bloor Street will have a 24-hour work stoppage Saturday and the Hyatt Regency will “likely” have a shorter walkout Sunday, said JJ Fueser, a research analyst with the union that represents about 7,000 hotel workers in Toronto.
The hotels are owned by the Westmont Group.
Earlier in the day, actor Mr. Sheen joined Royal York Hotel workers, who were on strike for 24 hours starting at 6 a.m., on the picket line.
Mr. Sheen spoke at an afternoon press conference, along with representatives of Royal York workers’ union, local actors unions and hotel employees.
“In these situations you have to stick to it like a stamp,” said Mr. Sheen, who arrived in Toronto this week for the Toronto International Film Festival.
“I’m much more comfortable out here than I was inside, I’m where I belong, I’m doing what I should,” he said.
Mr. Sheen stayed at the hotel Wednesday and Thursday night, he said, and he’ll stay there unless the union asks that he leaves.
He stars in the film The Way, which will premiere Friday at the Winter Garden Theatre.
The Royal York Hotel in Toronto.
Hundreds of workers were stationed outside the hotel, at three entrances, banging plastic drums, cheering and waving signs and flags.
Their contract expired in July and discussions, which started in August, with their employer continue to leave employees and management “oceans apart,” union spokeswoman Cristal Cruz-Haicken said.
Since a settlement hadn’t been reached by Friday the union, UNITE HERE Local 75, was able to strike legally, she said.
Hotel spokeswoman Melanie Coates said the hotel had 252 managers and non-union employees show up to work on Friday.
“We’re in the hospitality business and we prepare for anything,” she said.
Lisa Bruno, a server at the hotel and member of the negotiating committee, said there are issues of seniority rights, employees having to work multiple jobs and benefits being frozen.
Michelle Williams, a valet attendant, joined the picket line at 6 a.m.
She said her shifts, regularly eight hours, have been cut to four hour shifts this year when the hotel has a 75 per cent or less occupancy.
“Bills are piling up and our income is being cut,” she said.
Ms. Williams said cut shifts combined with her commute from North York are taking a toll on her finances and 10-year-old child.
“We don’t want to the interrupt the film festival, we appreciate their business,” she said.
