A group of Vancouver hotels is suing its striking union workers for causing a disturbance at the picket line.
In a notice of civil claim filed Friday at B.C. Supreme Court, Innvest Hotels LP – the parent company of the Hyatt Regency Vancouver – alleged picketers have been making “deafening” noise on the streets using horns, vuvuzelas, plastic buckets, drums, air horns, megaphones, sirens, microphones, amplifiers, and speakers.
The lawsuit claimed the workers have been making this noise in front of the Hyatt, at 655 Burrard St., since around Sept. 19.
Leaders of Unite Here Local 40 have said they are striking for job security, fair wages and promises that any workers at restaurants and outlets in the hotel will be union members.
The company alleges the din begins each morning and lasts til evening, and causes a “substantial and unreasonable interference” for both Hyatt guests and the public in the area.
It accused the workers of trying to harm the hotel’s business, adding that their conduct “escalated” at one point when they allegedly began to block access to people and vehicles trying to enter the building.
The company is asking the court to stop the workers from producing excessive noise and blocking access or entering the premises, as well as for general damages.
None of the allegations has been proven in court. The union has not yet filed a response.
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