The owners of the Crowne Plaza hotel in Niagara Falls now say they will compensate two British tourists whom they had kicked off the property last Saturday for supporting Rainforest Cafe workers on the picket line.

On April 13, Alan Tomlinson and his daughter Lauren joined striking workers in front of the Clifton Hill restaurant. When Lauren returned to her hotel room afterwards, she was followed by security who instructed her to leave immediately.

When Alan arrived, he was told his car would also be towed if it wasn't removed. The hotel refused to provide a refund for the two nights already booked and paid for.

The Rainforest Cafe and the Crowne Plaza hotel are owned by the same company, Canadian Niagara Hotels.

The story drew a harsh response from CUPE Ontario, SEIU Local 2 and the Ontario Federation of Labour, who all vowed to boycott the hotel and/or other Canadian Niagara Hotels properties.

After initially claiming the Tomlinsons "interfered with other guests attempting to access the Rainforest and other nearby businesses," Canadian Niagara Hotels has changed its stance.

"Security failed to make the significant distinction between Union-initiated demonstrators and tourists choosing to express their support at the demonstration," read a statement issued late Wednesday. "The Union, Rainforest and police had an agreement to keep the protesting to public property.

"Alan and Lauren Tomlinson were caught in an unfortunate situation and for this the hotel apologizes and the hotel has not charged them for their stay."

About 95 Rainforest Cafe servers, bussers and hostesses have been on strike since April 8 after efforts for a first contract broke down. They're represented by Workers United Local 2347, who quickly disputed Canadian Niagara Hotels' revised version of events.

"Do they expect us to believe that CNH security acted in such a rash manner without any direction from their superiors?" said union rep Ryan Hayes. "This looks like back-pedalling rather than a sincere change of heart. CNH was forced to apologize due to public pressure and union power.

"CNH also owes an apology to their workers for refusing to bargain for a fair contract for over a year. This entire debacle is an embarrassment to Niagara Falls."

The union is planning a rally in front of the restaurant Saturday starting at 3 p.m.

Following media reports of the Tomlinsons' removal from their hotel, the SEIU Local 2 cancelled two upcoming events at the Crowne Plaza hotel, representing about $32,000 in bookings.

"Unfortunately, this hurts Workers United Canada's own unionized members in the hotel," responded Canadian Niagara Hotels.

John.Law@niagaradailies.com

905-225-1644 | @JohnLawMedia

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