Company Press Release: Tourism Vancouver
July 31, 2000
VANCOUVER, BC -- The three-week ``Big Seven'' hotel strike in Greater Vancouver has been resolved. The ``Big Seven''
represent some of the city's largest hotels: Delta Pacific Resort and Conference Centre, Delta Vancouver Airport
Hotel, Four Seasons, Holiday Inn Vancouver Centre, Hyatt Regency Vancouver, Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside and
Westin Bayshore Resort & Marina.
On Friday, July 28th, union members of Local 40, the Hotel, Restaurant and Culinary Employees and Bartenders Union,
voted to accept a new contract. With the strike of these seven hotels resolved, union workers could be back to
work as early as Saturday, July 29th.
Tourism Vancouver President & CEO, Rick Antonson, says he is pleased that both sides have reached an agreement.
``We are delighted that the issues have been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties,'' said Antonson. ``With
this strike over, we continue to encourage visitors to come to Greater Vancouver and experience its incredible
beauty and world-class visitor services.''
``If visitors are still uncertain about their accommodation arrangements, they can check directly with the hotels
or contact Tourism Vancouver at 604.683.2000 or at www.tourismvancouver.com,'' Antonson added.
Gord Johnson, Chair of the Vancouver Hotel Association, adds that the upcoming months in Vancouver will be ideal
for visitors.
``August and September are exciting months loaded with attractions and events such as the Air Canada Open, Symphony
of Fire, Molson Indy, Early Music Festival, International Film Festival and the Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival
- just to name a few,'' said Johnson.
Four other hotels in Vancouver with a different union remain on strike but are still open for business. These hotels
represent 3% of the total number of rooms available in the Greater Vancouver area. Hotels affected by the CAW strike
are the Pacific Palisades, Parkhill Hotel, Quality Hotel - Inn at False Creek and Ramada Inn Vancouver Centre.
These hotels are still hosting guests.
While not directly involved in the dispute, Tourism Vancouver hopes for a speedy resolution between the CAW and
the four hotels in the interest of all parties affected, including visitors to Greater Vancouver.
Tourism Vancouver leads the cooperative effort of positioning Greater Vancouver as a preferred travel destination
in all targeted markets worldwide, thereby creating opportunities for member and community sharing of the resulting
economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits.
SOURCE: Tourism Vancouver