Bulletin
Action Requested: Support locked out hotel members in BC
May 4, 2021
To: MoveUP Members
As you know, the hospitality industry in general, and hotels in particular, have been hard hit economically by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many hotels in BC are represented by UNITE HERE Local 40, and they have been struggling with various employers in the hotel industry. While some hotels have worked with the union to protect workers’ rights, others have not. These hotels are tabling concessions, firing workers, and trying to push the union out.
There is an ongoing dispute at the Hilton Metrotown in Burnaby, where 97 workers have been fired while 50 of their laid-off staff have had their employment insurance benefits cut.
At the same time, staff at Pacific Gateway Hotel in Richmond have just gone on strike to support their fired co-workers. Even more egregious, the Pacific Gateway is a federal quarantine hotel, and the federal government allowed the employer to contract out union work.
You can find out more about the dispute, and which hotels are impacted, at www.bcunequalwomen.org.
UNITE HERE Local 40 is also asking for your support in a letter-writing campaign to the GMs of the offending hotels. You can send your letter by clicking here.
Additionally, please also sign this petition to federal Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough calling for federal intervention to protect laid-off Hilton Metrotown workers. You can find the petition here.
We are all stronger when we stand together. Please support these workers in their dispute with their employers.
In solidarity,
David Black, President
Lori Mayhew, Secretary-Treasurer
Rysa Kronebusch, Vice-President, Utilities
Christy Slusarenko, Vice-President, Combined Units
Annette Toth, Vice-President, ICBC