Banquet servers at now closed Four Seasons Hotel upset over severance
Posted May 31, 2012 6:00 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – A group of banquet servers from Toronto’s now closed Four Seasons Hotel said they’re upset with their severance with the issue sent to arbitration.
The servers, most who worked at the Yorkville landmark for more than 20 years, complained they got less than half the severance to which they were entitled, even though the union negotiated payments of more than a year’s pay for workers with 25 years of service.
The 35-year-old Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, located at 21 Avenue Road, closed its doors on March 28, in anticipation of the grand opening at a new location at 60 Yorkville Avenue. It’s set to open sometime this summer.
The new location will feature a 30,000-square-foot luxury spa, glass-enclosed event rooms and a cafe and bar operated by international chef Daniel Boulud.
“The actual complex is three buildings, one large tower 55-storeys high, the hotel is up to the 21st floor, where you would 259 guest rooms and 42 suites,” Halla Rafati, director of public relations, said. “Extensive function space, 17 rooms, two large event rooms for social functions and meeting facilities.”
To honour decades worth of guests and memories, the hotel launched a memory book on Facebook where fans can upload pictures and memorable moments at the Four Seasons Toronto.
“Our international guests and the people of Toronto have very strong ties to this property, and it is an emotional time for all of us, so it was only reasonable for some of our guests to want be there the last day of business, until we open our new property,” Rafati said.
“One guest posted how he was here when Terry Fox stopped at the hotel, and we all know the Terry Fox Run so it was emotional to read that memory, because it was when he was alive and came to the hotel.”
