Breaking: LNG Camp Hospitality Workers, Janitors Avert Strike, Win New Contracts

Camp hospitality workers at the LNG Canada construction site have ratified two new collective agreements with 99% voting in favour.  Workers achieved their main goal of winning job security for the future in case Phase 2 of the LNG project proceeds.

The new collective agreements ensure that should Phase 2 of the project proceed, Sodexo and Horizon North or any successor must recall the existing workers with their seniority and union contract. This will ensure continuity for existing workers, many of whom are new Canadians.

The contracts cover 500 Sodexo housekeepers, kitchen and maintenance workers employed at Cedar Valley Lodge, which houses 4,500 camp workers, as well 60 janitors employed by Horizon North who clean LNG site office facilities.  The workers are represented by UNITE HERE Local 40 and IBEW Local 993.

“Hospitality workers take great pride in their work and want a secure future. On behalf of our members, we thank JGC Fluor, Sodexo and Horizon North for committing to good camp hospitality jobs,” said Zailda Chan, President of UNITE HERE Local 40.

Workers also secured wages and other health and retirement benefit improvements that continue to make these the best camp hospitality jobs in BC. For example, housekeepers at the camp will be earning close to $29 per hour next year.

This summer, Sodexo and Horizon workers voted 90% across the bargaining units in favour of strike action. Sodexo workers’ contract expired on July 22, while the janitors’ contract expired May 1.

UNITE HERE Local 40 has organized over 1,000 camp workers in the past few years. Most recently, workers at Red Chris Mine in the Stikine Region and CPC Montney Lodge in Peace River unionized with Local 40.

Contact: Michelle Travis, [email protected], 778-960-9785.