Staff to strike at Samaranch's hotel

Workers at the Sydney hotel which will host International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Juan Antonio Samaranch plan to walk off the job on Monday over a pay claim.

Staff at the five-star hotel are pursuing a bonus related to the extra demands of next month's Olympic Games period.

Management have refused to discuss an Olympic bonus, much less pay one, union spokesman Mark Boyd said.

Workers are seeking an extra $550 (US$314) for the two-week Olympic period, in line with workers at other Sydney five-star hotels, Boyd said.

"If nothing is resolved tomorrow, further stoppages will be held.

"The work will be demanding, hotel workers will have transport issues, getting to and from work and hotels are saying they're going to need staff to be flexible above the award."

A hotel spokesman declined to comment to Reuters on Sunday.