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CTV News
6 days ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
Vets Cab ratifies new contract
Unionized drivers at Vets Cab in Windsor have ratified a new four-year contract. The 300 drivers are members of Unifor Local 195 and voted 79 per cent in favour of a tentative deal reached on Friday. Local 195 President Emile Nabbout said the deal is a win-win-win. 'I think it's good for our drivers,' said Nabbout. 'It's good for the people who own a plate, it's good for Vets Cab. Everybody here is a winner at this point and our community as well is a winner because we still have the service provided with labour dispute, with no interruption to any service in the community.' He said one of the challenges facing both sides in talks was competition from other ride services like Uber and Lyft. 'I think we're going to remain competitive with the rest of the industry,' he said. 'We're going to be able to continue serving the community. The company will be able to survive and deliver the dispatch and the services they normally do to our industry, this type of industry.' Nabbout credited both sides for getting a deal done. 'Earlier this week, the demands coming from the company were a little bit unprecedented and we were able to spend long hours on Thursday and Friday to come up with something that can be ratified,' said Nabbout. Unionized drivers voted on the deal Sunday night at the union hall on Somme Avenue. Last week, the drivers voted 96.5 per cent in favour of strike action if needed to back contract demands. The workers' previous deal expired on Sunday. - Written by Paul McDonald and Rob Hindi/AM800 News.
CTV News
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Vets Cab drivers support strike action if needed to back contract demands
Drivers at Vets Cab in Windsor are in favour of strike action if needed to back contract demands. Unifor Local 195 represents the workers and held a strike authorization meeting Tuesday night at the union hall on Somme Avenue, where workers voted 96.5 per cent of strike action if necessary. Local 195 President Emile Nabbout said there are roughly 300 Vets cab drivers. He would not disclose what the key issues are in the talks but said there are many challenges including competition from Uber, Lyft and many others in the taxi industry. Nabbout said going out on strike is a last resort. 'Given negotiations, everybody hold their card tight to their chest and we're still optimistic that both parties will reach an agreement that can be ratified by our members,' said Nabbout. He said he's optimistic that a deal can be reached. 'Strike normally will damage not only the livelihood for our members, but they'll damage the company due to the many challenges we have right now from competition from Uber, Lyft, and many other taxi industries,' he said. Nabbout said over the years, the relationship between the parties has improved. 'I think both sides understand the risk of a labour dispute and we urge the company to come to the table with a reasonable expectation and maybe we can reach an agreement that can be ratified by those members in full confidence,' said Nabbout. The current collective agreement expires on July 13. Nabbout said both sides continue to talk and the union has not made any decisions when/if the workers will head out on strike. - Written by Rob Hindi/AM800 News
CTV News
02-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Best Western Plus workers ‘disappointed' strike extends over a month
Best Western Plus has been on the picket line for more than a month as the strike presses on. Workers at the Best Western Plus in downtown Windsor have now been on the picket line for more than a month. 'The workers are very disappointed that, this employer hasn't come back to the bargaining table to address their need,' Emile Nabbout, Unifor Local 195 President. About 37 workers walked off the job on June 1 after failing to reach an agreement. According to the union, the employer is offering just under $19 per hour. Workers previously voted overwhelmingly against what the company described as it's 'final offer.' Nabbout says he wants to see the company return to the table.
CTV News
17-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Best Western Windsor workers reject final contract offer by 90 per cent
Workers reject contract offer at the Best Western Plus Waterfront Hotel in Windsor, Ont., on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) Workers at Windsor's Best Western Plus Waterfront Hotel have decisively rejected the employer's 'final offer,' with approximately 90 per cent voting against the contract proposal, according to Unifor Local 195. The electronic vote was overseen Monday and Tuesday by the Ontario Labour Relations Board, with the results ensuring the 15‑day strike involving nearly 40 full and part‑time employees in guest services, housekeeping and maintenance will continue. Unifor President Emile Nabbout said union members were clear: the offer didn't adequately address pressing wage concerns. Best Western strike Workers reject contract offer at the Best Western Plus Waterfront Hotel in Windsor, Ont., on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) 'Our members are very disappointed because the company have done everything but to negotiate, and forcing the final offer and take it to a vote by the ministry is not the best outcome within our union,' explained Nabbout. 'We are hoping instead of everybody digging their heel in the ground, that the employer and the union get back to the table and try to find, and mutually agree something we can live and members can ratify,' he said, noting some staff have been working at the hotel for over 41 years.' Ironwood Management Corporation, which operates the hotel, had requested the vote and argued its proposed deal represented the most competitive compensation available among private‑sector hotels in the region. The union maintains the wage component is insufficient and that proposed concessions remain unacceptable. With the vote now concluded, both sides face pressure to return to the bargaining table. Nabbout said the union is ready to return to the table for talks and won't end job action until an acceptable agreement is reached. 'Local 195 members will not be bullied into a contract that doesn't address their concerns,' said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 'It's time for the employer to begin good-faith negotiations to resolve this dispute. We're ready to get a fair deal and won't settle for anything less.' 'Frankly, this vote was a waste of time. The bargaining committee has been clear about the path to a new contract, but the employer tried to take a shortcut,' said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi. 'We trust that this result will demonstrate that there is no substitute for good-faith negotiations.' The strike, which began June 1 after the previous contract expired, has already put a spotlight on labour issues in the hospitality sector. Local 195 officials say they want to bring negotiations to a swift resolution, especially as Windsor prepares for a busy summer travel season, with the Detroit fireworks less than a week away.
CTV News
16-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Best Western Windsor workers to vote on ‘final offer'
Workers strike in front of Windsor's Best Western Plus hotel on Riverside Drive West in Windsor, Ont. on June 3, 2025. (Michelle Maluske/CTV News Windsor) Striking workers at the Best Western Plus in downtown Windsor will vote Monday on the company's 'final offer.' The Ontario Labour Relations Board will conduct the vote for 37 full and part-time workers, members of Unifor Local 195. They have been on the picketline for 15 days, backing demands in a new contract. Ironwood Management Corporation requested the vote, saying the offer would provide employees the best overall compensation of any private-sector hotel in the region. According to Union President Emile Nabbout, the union does not believe the final offer is satisfactory and he doesn't believe his members will support the company. The vote will be held electronically and there's no word on when the results will be known. — Paul McDonald/AM800 News
