Pinoy hotel workers in Vancouver protest work conditions

VANCOUVER, Canada – Many Filipino workers in the hotel industry in Vancouver joined a protest against deteriorating work conditions despite improving revenues at the start of 2010.

Labor group UNITE HERE Local 40 and Vancouver hotel workers said that the Hyatt, Westin Bay Shore, Renaissance and Four Seasons hotels are facing understaffing and heavier workload but without additional pay or benefits from their employers.

“Our goal right now is to lower the workload and make sure that they respect us and we’re asking for better benefits,” said Hyatt room attendant, Naden Abenes.

Filipino workers added that the shorter work hours also mean less pay–a problem for many who send money back home.

“Tinanggalan ng hours, naaapektuhan ang kanilang finances. Karamihan sa amin nagpapaaral ng mga anak sa university at nagbabayad ng mortgage sa bahay. Paano namin mababayaran ang aming mga mortgage kung kina-cut ang aming mga oras,” said Hyatt electrician, Ding Ramos.

About 1,400 hotel workers kicked off bargaining this month for better work conditions, and 25% of them are Filipinos

In a statement, the hotel management of Hyatt said they expect to negotiate satisfactory deals with its employees.

The hotel management added that while they respect the workers’ rights to express their views, they believe that the most productive place to address workplace matters is at the negotiating table. –Marieton Pacheco, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau