May 14, 2021
Ms. Yolaine Charette, General Manager
Sheraton Ottawa Hotel
150 Albert Street
Ottawa, ON K1P 5G2
Dear Ms. Charette:
The IAM represents 50,000 Union members in Canada, with almost half working in travel-related industries. We are today writing in solidarity with the UNITE-HERE Local 261 workers at Sheraton Ottawa Hotel.
It is brought to our attention that the Sheraton Hotel – owned by Keck Seng Investments – has refused to extend the recall rights of its workers and has in fact fired many of those workers. Workers who have served for decades have been let go with less than a week’s notice, even as the hotel continues to operate and receive government support. This makes absolutely no sense when there is no cost to the Sheraton Ottawa hotel.
In the midst of a global pandemic this is abhorrent behavior by a corporate body.
We urge you to reconsider this decision and immediately reverse the terminations of those employees who have fallen victim as a result of your heartless actions. Many of our Union members travel as part of their daily business, and I will be recommending that they not utilize your business when conditions improve and this pandemic is over.
Please rectify this matter immediately.
Stan Pickthall
General Vice President
IAMAW Canada
cc: Hassan Yussuff, Canadian Labour Congress, UNITE-HERE Local 261
