The union claims the replacement workers were used during a walkout last week.
The Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel denied on Tuesday a union claim that it is illegally using strike breakers during its labour conflict with the CSN.
In an email to the Presse Canadienne, hotel spokesperson Andrée-Ann Groleau said “no strike breakers have been hired” and that “the hotel is ready to face eventual pressure tactics and has put in place a contingency plan to allow hotel activities to continue as normally as possible.”
She added that hotel management is “working to limit the inconvenience that could be caused to our guests and hope for a return to normal as quickly as possible.”
According to a spokesperson for the hotel sector of the Fédération du commerce de la CSN, the Queen Elizabeth Hotel used illegal strike breakers during a walkout held last week.
‘We have filed a complaint with the (provincial labour board) because we know the employer used strike breakers, which is forbidden by law,” and “we have evidence to prove it … Services must be provided by management staff and no one else,” Michel Valiquette said.
The 24-hour strike that ended on Monday was the third walkout during the 11th round of co-ordinated negotiations by the CSN’s hotel sector. A total of 30 hotels and 3,500 employees are being represented during the talks.
Employees at about 15 of the hotels voted for a mandate of 120 hours of strike to be used at opportune times.
The union has said that unless a deal is forthcoming, a general strike could occur in August.
The workers are seeking a pay hike of 36 per cent over four years and three weeks of vacation during the first year of service in order to attract more workers to the sector.
They also want employers to contribute to a group insurance plan and are seeking better training programs for new employees.