Sheraton Guildford Hotel Staff Ready to Strike: What Travelers Need to Know
Travelers headed to Surrey, British Columbia, may soon encounter picket lines instead of the usual warm welcome at one of the region’s busiest full-service properties. More than 100 housekeepers, front-desk clerks, banquet servers and kitchen employees at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel have voted to walk off the job, according to a press release by UNITE HERE Local 40. The hotel, situated just off Trans-Canada Highway 1 in the rapidly growing Guildford neighborhood, is a popular base for visitors attending conventions at the adjoining conference center, exploring nearby Fraser Valley wineries or catching a SkyTrain connection to downtown Vancouver. A work stoppage could curtail housekeeping, food-and-beverage service and event operations, leaving guests scrambling for alternatives or facing reduced amenities during their stay.
Why the Union Is Threatening a Walkout
The union says negotiations have stalled over several key issues: • Competitive wages that keep pace with the region’s steep cost of living. • Hotel-funded health benefits, especially critical for employees who worked through the pandemic. • Staffing levels that would restore daily room cleaning, a service suspended or reduced in many properties during COVID-19. UNITE HERE Local 40 represents hotel workers across British Columbia and has waged similar campaigns at other Metro Vancouver properties in recent years. In the Guildford dispute, the union contends that limited schedules and heavier workloads have left employees “doing more with less” even as occupancy rebounds to pre-pandemic levels. “We’re ready to walk if necessary,” a union spokesperson said in the release.
Potential Impact on Guests at Sheraton Guildford
Sheraton Guildford features 279 guestrooms, a casual restaurant and lounge, an outdoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center. It is also one of Surrey’s primary meeting venues, boasting 28,000 square feet of conference space. A strike could affect: 1. Housekeeping: Daily cleaning and linen changes may be delayed or unavailable. 2. Food service: The on-site restaurant and bar could operate with a limited menu or reduced hours, and room-service may be halted altogether. 3. Events: Conferences, weddings and banquets slated for the coming weeks could face staffing shortages, pushing organizers to find last-minute alternatives. 4. Check-in and concierge: Front-desk queues could lengthen, and travel-planning assistance could be minimal.
Advice for Travelers With Upcoming Reservations
1. Confirm your stay: Call the hotel directly and ask whether management has contingency plans in place. Some properties bring in temporary staff or supervisors to cover critical posts. 2. Weigh flexible rates: If your booking is cancellable, compare nearby options such as the Sandman Suites Guildford, the Four Points by Sheraton Surrey or downtown Vancouver properties reachable by SkyTrain. 3. Pack extra essentials: With housekeeping disruptions possible, consider bringing additional toiletries, towels and even coffee pods. 4. Plan meals ahead: Research Guildford’s growing restaurant scene—many eateries along 104 Avenue and the Guildford Town Centre Food Court remain within a 10-minute walk. 5. Build in transit time: If picket lines form, traffic near the hotel entrance could slow ride-share and taxi arrivals.
What This Means for Surrey’s Tourism Scene
Surrey welcomed approximately 1.3 million visitors last year, many of whom relied on the Sheraton Guildford for mid-tier accommodations and conference space. A prolonged strike might prompt business groups to relocate meetings, affecting local restaurants and attractions that rely on convention traffic. The potential job action also arrives at the start of peak whale-watching season and ahead of major summer events such as the Surrey Fusion Festival and the Cloverdale Rodeo, both of which draw overnight guests to the Guildford corridor. Yet tourism stakeholders point to the city’s diversified hotel inventory—ranging from limited-service chains to boutique properties in adjacent neighborhoods—as evidence that Surrey can absorb displaced guests. Still, they acknowledge that the Sheraton’s size makes it a cornerstone of the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the strike definite? No. The union has authorization but can issue the required 72-hour strike notice at any time. Bargaining could still yield a settlement. Will my Marriott Bonvoy points be honored if service levels drop? Yes. Loyalty benefits are controlled by the brand, not individual employees. However, elite perks such as complimentary breakfast may be limited if the dining room is shuttered. Can I cross a picket line legally? Picketing is permitted on public property. Guests have the legal right to enter the hotel, though they may choose to respect the labor action and stay elsewhere. Does travel insurance cover strike-related disruptions? Policies vary. Some plans protect against “labor dispute” delays, while others exclude strikes announced before your purchase date. Review the fine print or ask your provider.
How Long Could the Dispute Last?
Labor conflicts at British Columbia hotels have ranged from a single-day protest to months-long standoffs. In 2021, a similar contract dispute at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown lasted 391 days before resolution. Conversely, the union and management at Richmond’s Pacific Gateway Hotel settled in under three weeks after heightened media attention and guest cancellations. The Sheraton Guildford’s ownership group, Pacific Hospitality Alliance, has not commented publicly on its contingency plans. Past industry patterns suggest that as soon as occupancy or event bookings fall measurably, both sides often find a middle ground quickly.
Context for International Visitors
Labor laws in Canada differ from those in the United States or Europe. In British Columbia, strikes in the private sector are legal only after formal mediation steps fail and a 72-hour notice is filed with the Labour Relations Board. Hotel management may legally hire replacement workers, though doing so can draw negative publicity, particularly in a hospitality sector built on service reputation. Travelers from abroad should also note that medical coverage provided by many international travel insurance policies remains unchanged during labor unrest, but on-the-ground conveniences—such as daily housekeeping or concierge advice—may not.
Takeaways for JetsetterGuide Readers
• Check your reservation status—and your room rate’s cancellation terms—now rather than later. • Keep local dining and lodging alternatives in mind; Surrey’s Guildford district has grown, but options can still sell out when Vancouver’s downtown prices climb. • If you’re attending a meeting at the hotel, coordinate with event organizers about potential venue changes. • Remember that labor actions are fluid. A tentative settlement could emerge overnight, or, conversely, a walkout could stretch well into the summer tourist season. Surrey and the broader Metro Vancouver region remain open for exploration, from the oceanside trails of Crescent Beach to wine tasting in Langley or shopping at the massive Guildford Town Centre mall. With a bit of proactive planning, visitors can still enjoy the area’s sights—even if labor tensions briefly reshape the check-in desk experience.
