Hundreds of hotel workers in Toronto are planning to rally for higher salaries outside the Fairmont Royal York ahead of Taylor Swift’s first show in the city today.
Members of Unite Here Local 75, the union representing 8,000 hospitality workers, says employees at the luxurious downtown hotel have not received a salary increase since Nov. 2021, despite the rising cost of living.
UNITE HERE L75 members at the Royal York are fighting for our fair share! We're living on 2021 wages in 2024. Rent, food, transport costs have exploded. This Thurs, Nov 14 3pm onward, in front of the Royal York to say "We deserve our fair share!" Join us! pic.twitter.com/JfteKxnaxP
— UNITE HERE Local 75 (@UNITEHERE75) November 13, 2024
Employees say they have been negotiating for a new contract with the hotel since April 2022.
The protest comes as pop star Taylor Swift is performing six shows in the city, with the first tonight. During her tour stop, some hotels in the city are charging upwards of $1,500 a night for a room, including The Bisha Hotel which has created Taylor Swift-themed private suites.
In addition to fighting for higher salaries in line with inflation, the protest aims to address hotels who are price gouging Swifties thousands of dollars.
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“We’re excited to welcome Taylor Swift’s fans to our hotel. I’m a fan, myself,” Fairmont Hotel Room Attendant Grace Guanzon, who has served the hotel for 30 years, said in a statement.
“But we’re living on 2021 wages in 2024. Everything is more expensive – food, rent, transportation. It’s upsetting to see hotels profit at the expense of music fans and their workers,” she continued.
Swift is performing six sold-out shows at the Rogers Centre from Nov. 14-16 and from Nov. 21-23.
The union is set to hit the picket lines at 100 Front Street West, outside of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, at 3 p.m.
