United Voice

The LHMU opposes outsourcing but stewards were willing to accept this so the fight became about securing their conditions.

LHMU delegate Luke Jones says the win means stewards are more "comfortable" working for the agency now. "They got what was promised to them in writing and they feel more comfortable and relaxed about the outcome.

Fear of the 'unknown'

On 8 May, Westin stewards were told their jobs would be outsourced to agency Challenger. Workers were assured their jobs were secure and there would be no disadvantage. Workers had until 15 May to decide if they wanted to keep their job but with Challenger.

However, stewards had questions about the agency contract. One key issue was whether they would be guaranteed hours at the Westin once their department was outsourced. Other unknowns include what would happen to their annual leave, sick leave and long service leave; and whether they had to do cleaning work. "Stewards had no idea what was going on and asked me for help," Luke says.

Strengthening the group

For those who had questions about the contracts, Luke helped them by "getting them to talk union". Soon, non-members joined the LHMU to strengthen the group.

A meeting between the union, Westin HR and Challenger HR resulted in a contract with some written guarantees. Stewards at Westin-Challenger won commitments on ongoing permanent work with the Westin as long as Challenger continues to win the stewarding contract there; and guaranteed work as stewards/kitchen workers. Challenger would also recognise workers' annual leave, sick leave and long service leave.

"It is a good win in terms of showing us what our union can do for us. It can support us to get a good decision," Luke says.

"We learnt how an organised workplace in the union can help get a good result that workers can feel more secure with," he adds. "As a group, we got a result that benefits workers. It goes to show what can be achieved in an organised workplace."

LHMU NSW Secretary Mark Boyd reiterates the union opposes outsourcing of members' jobs but says this turned out to be a good win for Westin stewards because they were able to get active and organised to protect their conditions. "Westin stewards acted together to secure their working conditions when Challenger took over," he says. "Stewards have shown that by joining together in your union hotel workers can make a difference."

"Right now thousands of hotel workers are signing on to LHMU's better jobs, better hotels campaign," Mark says. "Hotel workers want to be able to use the new IR laws to demand operators and owners negotiate a national agreement for better jobs and better hotels and raise the industry standard."

You too can be part of this campaign now! Visit: www.betterjobsbetterhotels.com.