Catering staff are taking action now that hotel costs for Eras Tour are rising

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The sound of chants, whistles and drum beats filled the air outside a downtown Toronto hotel Thursday evening as a crowd of hospitality workers gathered to demand salary increases amid skyrocketing accommodation costs at Taylor Swift’s concerts in the city.

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Unite Here Local 75, the union representing 8,000 hospitality workers in the GTA, says Fairmont Royal York employees have not seen a salary increase since 2021 and have been negotiating a new contract with the hotel since 2022.

Employees at Royal York and other hotels sprang into action as Swift began her run of six sold-out concerts in Toronto, with the final show scheduled for November 23.

Shelli Sareen, the union’s secretary-treasurer, said the meeting is intended to highlight the need for fair compensation for hospitality workers amid rising profits for the industry during the concert period.

“Our members are predominantly women. They are people of color. They are the heart and soul of the hospitality industry,” says Sareen.

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“We wanted to draw attention to the fact that Taylor Swift is an economic force in the city, but our members are fighting for their fair share.”

The union, which represents workers including food service workers, room attendants and doormen, says those who will operate Swifties during the Toronto stops are negotiating for raises to keep up with the cost of living.

During show weekends, some hotel rooms and short-term rentals in Toronto are up to 10 times more expensive than other weekends, with some advertised for as much as $2,000 per night.

Sareen said fans are “being bullied over ticket and hotel prices,” while hospitality workers are often the first people to greet them when they arrive in town.

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Royal York workers have been demanding a pay increase since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the hospitality industry, Sareen said.

Many workers have had to take on multiple jobs to support themselves and their families, Sareen added.

The union says Royal York workers have fallen behind what union members have negotiated at other hotels in the Toronto area. Sareen noted that she believes hotel management has negotiated “in good faith” and further negotiation sessions are planned.

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Fairmont Royal York did not respond to requests for comment.

Grace Guanzon, who has worked as a chambermaid at Royal York for more than 30 years, was among the demonstrators on Thursday. She said she loves her job and providing service to guests, but more compensation is needed to make ends meet.

“We would like to send a message to our employer that we are taking this demonstration very seriously today,” Guanzon said, noting that many employees, including those from other city hotels, had taken the day off to join them.

A raise would make a big difference in their lives, she said.

“Our family, our transportation, our rent, our housing, our groceries and the cost of living – we can no longer afford that, and we cannot wait any longer,” Guanzon said.

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