MONTREAL - The 600-room Hyatt Hotel in downtown Montreal is being operated by management after workers voted 94 percent in favour to strike after being without contract since mid-June.
The workers were locked out after they started customizing their uniforms to bring attention to their position.
The workers started wearing badges and armbands this week to show their discontent.
“We were wearing our uniforms but people were wearing the scarf like I am wearing now and they decided to kick the people out,” said Union Vice-President Raphael Fortin.
The strike has left management scrambling to perform the tasks usually done by the workers and has left some visitors unhappy with service.
“It’s not the kind of stay that you want to have in a hotel. It's not nice because you can't have a full breakfast, can't have eggs, special coffee, the swimming pool is closed, there's no concierge, and they don't make the rooms, so you do your own bed,” said British tourist Sandra Benoit.
It also didn’t help that the hotel has been full as the temporary home to many of those visiting town for the Just for Laughs Festival which ends Sunday.
“The people who are left working are doing the best they can,” said comedian Andy Kindler.
The workers are seeking better wages and working conditions.
