Latest news with #EmileNabbout
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Best Western Windsor workers reject final contract offer by 90 per cent
Workers reject contract offer at the Best Western Plus Waterfront Hotel in Windsor, Ont., on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) Workers at Windsor's Best Western Plus Waterfront Hotel have decisively rejected the employer's 'final offer,' with approximately 90 per cent voting against the contract proposal, according to Unifor Local 195. The electronic vote was overseen Monday and Tuesday by the Ontario Labour Relations Board, with the results ensuring the 15‑day strike involving nearly 40 full and part‑time employees in guest services, housekeeping and maintenance will continue. Unifor President Emile Nabbout said union members were clear: the offer didn't adequately address pressing wage concerns. Best Western strike Workers reject contract offer at the Best Western Plus Waterfront Hotel in Windsor, Ont., on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) 'Our members are very disappointed because the company have done everything but to negotiate, and forcing the final offer and take it to a vote by the ministry is not the best outcome within our union,' explained Nabbout. 'We are hoping instead of everybody digging their heel in the ground, that the employer and the union get back to the table and try to find, and mutually agree something we can live and members can ratify,' he said, noting some staff have been working at the hotel for over 41 years.' Ironwood Management Corporation, which operates the hotel, had requested the vote and argued its proposed deal represented the most competitive compensation available among private‑sector hotels in the region. The union maintains the wage component is insufficient and that proposed concessions remain unacceptable. With the vote now concluded, both sides face pressure to return to the bargaining table. Nabbout said the union is ready to return to the table for talks and won't end job action until an acceptable agreement is reached. 'Local 195 members will not be bullied into a contract that doesn't address their concerns,' said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 'It's time for the employer to begin good-faith negotiations to resolve this dispute. We're ready to get a fair deal and won't settle for anything less.' 'Frankly, this vote was a waste of time. The bargaining committee has been clear about the path to a new contract, but the employer tried to take a shortcut,' said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi. 'We trust that this result will demonstrate that there is no substitute for good-faith negotiations.' The strike, which began June 1 after the previous contract expired, has already put a spotlight on labour issues in the hospitality sector. Local 195 officials say they want to bring negotiations to a swift resolution, especially as Windsor prepares for a busy summer travel season, with the Detroit fireworks less than a week away.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Best Western Windsor workers to vote on ‘final offer'
Workers strike in front of Windsor's Best Western Plus hotel on Riverside Drive West in Windsor, Ont. on June 3, 2025. (Michelle Maluske/CTV News Windsor) Striking workers at the Best Western Plus in downtown Windsor will vote Monday on the company's 'final offer.' The Ontario Labour Relations Board will conduct the vote for 37 full and part-time workers, members of Unifor Local 195. They have been on the picketline for 15 days, backing demands in a new contract. Ironwood Management Corporation requested the vote, saying the offer would provide employees the best overall compensation of any private-sector hotel in the region. According to Union President Emile Nabbout, the union does not believe the final offer is satisfactory and he doesn't believe his members will support the company. The vote will be held electronically and there's no word on when the results will be known. — Paul McDonald/AM800 News
CTV News
13-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Positive news for local feeder plants as Windsor Assembly returns to regular production early
Positive news for local feeder plants as the Windsor Assembly Plant returns to two shifts sooner than expected. Unifor Local 195 President Emile Nabbout said while there is still anxiety about the future, that this is a win for his members. In early May it was announced that there would be alternating and fluctuating work schedules at the Windsor Assembly Plant for 12 weeks. It was also announced that the addition of a third shift at Windsor Assembly has been postponed until 2026. The two shifts weren't set to return to full production until June 30, however, it was announced earlier this week by Unifor Local 444 that they would return to full operation by June 23. Some workers that Local 195 represents were affected by the fluctuating work schedules, with some week-to-week shutdowns, or only skeleton crews working in the feeder plants during that time period. Nabbout said reductions to shifts at Windsor Assembly caused reductions to shifts at the feeder plants as well. 'Whether we run a skeleton crew, it depends on each facility, or they reduce the shift operation, or reduce the number of the people. So, each facility is doing their own thing, but the end result is that there is an impact when there is a reduction in shifts.' He said there is still high levels of anxiety due to tariffs. 'Since November of last year, the concern remains the same, as everybody knows prior to November of last year we were hoping that we'd have Windsor Assembly Plant running three shifts, not two shift operations, and everything changed so quickly. There is a drastic impact on our members, on the community, on everybody.' Nabbout said they have to take little wins where they can. 'Boost the moral and continue being positive. And we're going to continue working with all stakeholders, from government, to investors, to corporations, to make sure that we are on the right track to preserve all the work here and protect Canadian jobs.' Local 195 represented approximately 800 members. Unifor Local 444 represents 4,500 workers at the assembly plant and 1,250 workers at area feeder plants. The Windsor Assembly Plant is home to the Chrysler Pacifica minivan and the all-electric Dodge Charger Daytona. - Written by Meagan Delaurier/AM800 News.
CTV News
11-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Workers at Central Stamping have new deal
Workers at Central Stamping in Windsor have a new collective agreement. At a ratification meeting Tuesday, membership voted 65 per cent in favour of a new four-year deal. It includes a $4.75 wage increase over the life of the agreement for the 79 full time workers, as well as a one-time special adjustment of 0.60 cents for different classifications at the plant. The collective agreement was set to expire in September, but the union says the company came to the table early as the employers is bidding on new business for the facility. Unifor Local 195 President Emile Nabbout says the wage increase is significant. ~ By AM800 News.
CTV News
03-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
‘Scab' workers brought to downtown Windsor hotel on second day of Unifor strike
Workers strike in front of Windsor's Best Western Plus hotel on Riverside Drive West in Windsor, Ont. on June 3, 2025. (Michelle Maluske/CTV News Windsor) Replacement workers went to the Best Western Plus hotel on Monday, according to company and union officials, leading to Windsor police being called to the picket line. 'They (workers) were not happy and excited to see somebody blatantly crossing the picket line,' Unifor Local 195 President Emile Nabbout told CTV News Tuesday. 'They were asking those who scab to refrain from entering the facility.' Nabbout did not have further details but said an 'altercation' occurred. Tyler McDiarmid, a spokesperson for Ironwood Management Corp., is alleging an assault occurred, but Windsor police will only say they are investigating. Ironwood operates the Best Western Plus for Farhi Holdings Corp. It's a tense start to a strike that only started on Sunday morning, to back contract demands for 40 people. Both the company and the union said wages are a key stumbling block in negotiations. 'The vast majority of hotel workers are not compensated as well as the workers at the Best Western Plus,' McDiarmid told CTV News in a statement, adding they have increased pay in the last three years despite soaring costs. That's a comment Nabbout disputes. '$18.02 is not even a living wage. You cannot even put the Kraft Dinner on the table to support your family,' Nabbout said. 'And now, the employer (has) the audacity to say this (offer) on the table, it is more than fair?' The union is also accusing the company of trying to claw back bereavement leave while the company is critical of the union for not taking their final offer to the workforce. The strike at Best Western Plus on Riverside Drive started on Sunday.
