Bullet News
More than 100 servers at Niagara Parks Commission restaurants voted unanimously on Thursday to ratify a contract negotiated two weeks ago.
Members of Workers United Local 2347 employed at Edgewater Tap and Grill, Elements on the Falls, Legends on the Niagara and Whirpool Golf Course had been ready to strike over a dispute on the payment of tips. At issue was the gratuities collected from banquets and special events. A 15 per cent charge is added to each bill on such occasions, with 13 per cent going to the servers and the remaining two per cent to management.
The union said that in light of management’s demand for a two-year wage freeze, workers should receive all of the tips.
The contract will see a wage freeze of two years for the workers, but now the full gratuity will go to the servers. In addition employees will receive a five per cent wage increase after the two-year freeze, followed by another increase of three per cent a year later.
The Parks Commission approved the contract on Wednesday.
