In a major development, camp hospitality workers at the LNG Canada construction site have successfully ratified new collective agreements, with an overwhelming 99% voting in favor. The ratification comes after a period of heightened tension, as workers had previously voted 90% in favor of strike action earlier this summer. The workers’ contracts with Sodexo and Horizon North had expired, leading to significant negotiations.
The new agreements, covering a total of 560 workers, including 500 Sodexo housekeepers, kitchen, and maintenance staff at Cedar Valley Lodge, and 60 Horizon North janitors responsible for cleaning LNG site office facilities, secure important job protections. These contracts ensure that if Phase 2 of the LNG project proceeds, the existing workers will be recalled with their seniority and union contracts intact. This provision is crucial for maintaining job security, particularly for many new Canadians employed in these roles.
The contracts also include improvements in wages, health benefits, and retirement plans, with housekeepers set to earn nearly $29 per hour next year. The agreements mark a significant achievement in securing what are now considered some of the best camp hospitality jobs in British Columbia.
The negotiations and subsequent agreements were facilitated by UNITE HERE Local 40 and IBEW Local 993, the unions representing the workers. UNITE HERE Local 40 President Zailda Chan praised the outcome, acknowledging the commitment of JGC Fluor, Sodexo, and Horizon North to providing stable and rewarding camp hospitality jobs. This successful negotiation reflects the union’s broader efforts, as they have recently organized over 1,000 camp workers in other locations, including Red Chris Mine and CPC Montney Lodge.
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