Niagara Falls Rainforest Cafe workers vote to unionize

Employer clawing back tips after minimum wage rose: WUCC

Niagara Falls Rainforest Cafe workers vote to unionize
The restaurant workers at Rainforest Cafe will join more than 500 hospitality workers in the Niagara region who are already members of Workers United. GOOGLE STREET VIEW

About 77 restaurant servers, bussers, and hostesses with the Rainforest Cafe in Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls, Ont., voted on March 28 to join Workers United Canada Council (WUCC).

"Workers across Ontario fought tirelessly for new labour laws and a minimum wage increase. When the minimum wage went up, this employer started clawing back their employees' tips," said Joseph Benjamin WUCC organizer. "The Rainforest Cafe workers realized that without a union, management still had all of the power. Workers decided to form a union to ensure that they have a voice at work and the ability to make sure things are done fairly."

The restaurant workers at Rainforest Cafe will join more than 500 hospitality workers in the Niagara region who are already members of Workers United.

"Restaurant workers in Niagara are joining Tim Hortons workers in Saskatchewan and Manitoba who have also decided that a union is their best bet for improving their working conditions," said Barry Fowlie, WUCC director.

WUCC represents 10,000 workers across Canada and 150,000 workers across North America. Workers United members work in a wide range of industries including garment and textiles, fitness, food service, hospitality, social services, manufacturing and distribution.

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