TORONTO – More than 250 unionized hospitality workers at the CN Tower were locked out today by Canada Lands Company, the federal Crown corporation that operates the landmark, as labour negotiations reached a standstill just hours before the start of the Canada Day holiday.

The lockout, which took effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, disrupts food and beverage services at one of Canada’s most iconic tourist destinations during peak summer season. Unifor Local 4271, representing the affected workers, says the action will have a significant impact on both visitor experience and Toronto’s tourism economy.

Impact on Services

While the CN Tower remains open, including its observation decks, EdgeWalk, and gift shop, all dining venues—such as the 360 Restaurant, VUE Bistros, and Le Café—are temporarily closed. Guests are permitted to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages to the observation levels, but officials warn of potential delays and crowding at entry points due to the disruption.

Reservations at the 360 Restaurant will not be compensated at this time, according to management, who cited capacity constraints and a commitment to maintaining service standards. The company hopes to reopen soon but emphasizes that dining services will remain suspended until a new collective agreement is reached.

Roots of the Dispute

The lockout follows months of negotiations between Canada Lands Company and Unifor. The union says it has been fighting for more than 15 years for improvements to workers’ pensions, as well as wage increases that keep pace with inflation, better benefits, and solutions to ongoing scheduling and health and safety concerns.

“Workers have gone more than 15 years without improvements to their pension, while wages have failed to keep pace with inflation. In addition, there has been no meaningful progress on benefits, and persistent health and safety issues remain unaddressed in the workplace,” Unifor said in a statement.

Employer and Union Positions

Canada Lands Company stated it has been negotiating in good faith since April and presented its “best offer” on June 26. The company claims Unifor did not respond to this offer and that it remains open to further discussions.

Unifor, however, accuses management of refusing to respect workers’ demands. “It’s incredibly disappointing that visitors and local residents alike will be denied the full CN Tower experience, including its dining services, due to the company’s refusal to respect its workers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

Shan Ramanathan, president of Unifor Local 4271, called the lockout “not only an attack on workers—it’s a blow to Toronto’s tourism economy,” and reiterated the union’s readiness to return to the bargaining table.

Looking Ahead

As thousands of tourists prepare to visit the CN Tower for Canada Day, the lockout casts a shadow over one of the city’s busiest weekends. Both sides say they are open to further negotiations, but with no immediate resolution in sight, the disruption is expected to continue, affecting both workers and visitors alike

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