Unionized workers at the Fairmont Empress Hotel have served strike notice but remain in talks with the employer.

The move puts the union, which represents nearly 500 members, in a position to strike as of 8 a.m. Saturday, March 7, said Unifor national representative Mario Santos. The previous three-year contract expired on March 1.

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Any job action would also affect the Victoria Conference Centre, which has an agreement with the hotel to provide services to set up rooms and deliver food, Santos said.

The contract dispute comes as the hotel is staging a job fair today, offering full-time and part-time positions and seasonal jobs starting in April to July.

In the meantime, union and company officials are continuing to bargain at the hotel in the hopes of reaching an agreement.

Tracey Drake, the hotel’s director of marketing and public relations, said in an email the “main goal” is to continue negotiations and she is optimistic that the remaining issues can be resolved in “an effective and timely manner.”

James Griffin, Unifor Local 4276 president, said the bargaining committee is confident a new contract can be reached this week, if the hotel drops concession demands.

Unifor is seeking a three-year contract that includes a clause stating that no rooms in the hotel will be converted to residential use during the life of the agreement, Santos said.

It’s expected that residential use — something that is being seen at other hotels — would mean job losses for members, he said. Other issues include gratuities, overtime and sick time.

Union members are also hoping to see some wage increases after 1,200 Vancouver hotel workers won wage hikes after going on strike last year, Santos said.

— With files from The Canadian Press