Unite members ratified a new agreement with Millennium Hotels last week that improves working conditions for all hotel workers as well as providing additional bonuses to union members only.

The National Agreement, that covers all hotels owned by Millennium in New Zealand, sees:

• A 4 per cent pay rise for all hotel workers


• One year term


• Warm tops - to be supplied immediately

The company has also agreed to prioritise providing long pants for the female staff who currently wear culottes. This is an issue for many of the housekeepers who often get chemicals on their legs.

Unite members will receive:

• 70 cents shoe allowance per shift worked


• $5 a week first aid certificate allowance


• An extra weeks annual leave for graveyard shift workers


• $5000 credit for hotel venues for union business for a year


• Roll over credit left over from last year

Unite organiser Daphna Whitmore said that while the agreement has improved conditions for union members there were some outstanding issues.

"The union members are imposting a ban on cleaning up body fluids until the company agrees to pay an extra allowance, gives them proper training and provides proper equipment," she said.

Millennium is the largest hotel chain in New Zealand and owns 28 hotels throughout the country.