The main issue that sparked the strike was workloads. Room attendants described how before the strike they often worked through breaks and lunch, and even unpaid overtime, to reach fixed room quotas. The contract replaces mandatory quotas with guidelines, and allows workers to ask for extra help to finish their work. The 55 workers at the hotel, mostly immigrant women, also won a union benefits plan and modest wage gains.

The union's efforts were boosted when flight crews from several airlines, who usually stay at the hotel after they arrive on late night flights, refused to cross the picket lines. Airlines were forced to cancel contracts with the hotel.  
 
'I'll miss my picket line'
"I'm really happy that we finally have a union, but I'll miss my picket line because we really had fun," said Regina Fagundes, a laundry worker at the hotel since it opened 15 years ago.

The strong morale of the strikers was obvious in a day-long celebration that took place in front of the hotel July 1. The event began with a march around the hotel and continued with speeches, food, and dancing.

Meanwhile, the victory has not gone unnoticed among other hotel workers. Just up the street from the Travelodge, HERE Local 75 has just won a vote among workers at the airport Holiday Inn, mandating it to replace the company union.

Sylvie Charbin is a garment worker in Toronto.  
 
 
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