Unifor Local 112 members at the Toronto Pan Pacific Hotel secured an important victory that compels the employer to adhere to its payment requirements for both the employee health and welfare fund and pension plan, after months of delinquent payments.

“I am pleased with the outcome of this settlement. Our members work extremely hard and deserve to be treated respectfully and fairly,” said Scott McIlmoyle, Unifor Local 112 President. “Every single penny owed to our members will be repaid with interest.”

Unifor Local 112 represents approximately 220 members at the Toronto-based hotel. Beginning in February last year, the employer began failing to meet its monthly contributions to workers’ health and dental benefits and pension plan funds.

“The settlement upholds the terms of our collective agreement and sends a strong message that our union will always hold employers accountable for their actions,” said John Turner, Unifor Local 112 Vice-President.

After negotiating through the Easter weekend, Unifor Local 112 and management representatives agreed to a repayment schedule that enabled Arbitrator Ian Anderson to render a final decision. The terms of the settlement ensure that the employer will begin making lump sum payments beginning May 1 through to August 1 totalling more than $200,000 including interest penalties.

“These are difficult and stressful times for hospitality workers, and we have zero tolerance for management betraying their obligations to us,” said Andrea Henry, Unit Chair for the Pan Pacific Hotel. “Thankfully, our union’s resources are here when we need them most to ensure that the employer has to live up to its agreement with workers.”

Unifor representatives and the Pan Pacific Hotel continue to negotiate payments for members on leave of absence and should no agreement be reached, the matter will be referred back to the arbitrator for a decision.