Two weeks after we learned that workers at the Arbutus Club for “high-profile elites” were on strike, impacted staff have won a new and “fair contract.”
On April 29, we learned that over 200 union employees began job action, hoping for better wages.
“The club, which charges tens of thousands of dollars in initiation fees, includes high-profile elites such as Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and Vancouver Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini,” Unifor said in a release.
When job action was announced, Unifor National President Lana Payne said, “The Arbutus Club caters to the city’s wealthiest clientele. Surely it can afford to pay the employees a decent, liveable wage.”
She also said that the affordability crisis was “front and centre” in the dispute.
Unifor
The new fair contract that Arbutus Club employees won includes better wages and benefits.
According to Unifor, the new agreement includes benefit enhancements, “including increases to the employer contribution for vision care, massage, therapy, and the footwear allowance.”
Regarding wages, employees will see an increase of “at least 16% over the duration of the three-year contract, including a $0.55 per hour increase retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025.”
The Unifor Western Regional Director, Gavin McGarrigle, says the agreement is historic for the club.
“This is one of the most important collective agreements in the history of this workplace,” he said.
“By taking bold action, Local 3000 members secured strong improvements across the board,” McGarrigle added.
After the victory, Payne said, “When we fight, we win.”
Negotiations initially broke off on April 25 after an impasse regarding wages. Unifor said wages fell behind inflation and the rapid rise of the cost of living in Metro Vancouver. Unifor was fighting for what it called a “livable wage.”
According to the most recent report from Living Wage BC, the living wage in Metro Vancouver, the hourly wage required to meet all of one’s basic necessities, is $27.05.
Unifor represents over 320,000 employees.
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