United Voice News
Westin and Langham members rise to the top
Members at Melbourne’s Westin and Langham Hotels will be some of the highest paid hotel workers in Australia, after both winning strong union agreements.
Members at The Westin Hotel won a $22 a week pay rise in October and similar increases in 2010 and 2011.
Delegate Marion Stewart said members stayed strong throughout the negotiations and it paid off.
"Having the $22 is so much better than what we had before, everybody’s really happy with that and we are glad we stood our ground."
Marion said the push for a pay increase was not only about making life easier. Members want to feel respected for the hard work they do.
"We don’t want to go back to the dark ages with people working for nothing, everyone’s got to pay bills and just live and survive."
Members at Melbourne’s Langham Hotel are also jubilant. Their agreement includes similar pay rises.
Delegate Mel Bougatsias said members are rapt that their hard work and dedication are being valued.
"I feel we deserve to be paid what we’re worth. We work very hard so it’s nice to feel appreciated."
Members at both hotels won a better work-life balance. Westin members have reduced the total number of days in a row they have to work and won a minimum of one weekend off per month.
They have also won a consultative committee where they can discuss rostering problems and other important issues with the boss.
Langham members won a proper rostered day off after every night shift. They also protected their over-time penalty rates and fought off an attack on permanent full time jobs.
Mel said doubling union membership at the Langham gave members the power to win a better deal.
"The more people we had in the union, the greater bargaining power we had and it paid off."
Marion said Westin members also felt stronger once they began working together.
"People started to realise if you stand together you’re going to achieve a lot more."
Both agreements expire in mid 2011. This means Langham and Westin members will bargain together as one strong, united group.
