Press Release – Three Years on Strike: Hotel Workers Rally to Mark Anniversary of Fight to Change Hotel Industry

Radisson Blu YVR Workers say “No More” to disrespectful treatment and precarious hotel jobs

 

Richmond, BC – TODAY striking workers at Radisson Blu Vancouver Airport & The Deck, represented by UNITE HERE Local 40, held a mass demonstration to commemorate three years of being on strike. Labour and community allies from across Metro Vancouver joined the rallying workers in solidarity, including Sussanne Skidmore, President of the BC Federation of Labour; Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President; Henry Yao, MLA for Richmond South Centre; Aman Singh, MLA for Richmond-Queensborough; and Mable Elmore, MLA for Vancouver-Kensington.

Strikers are fighting for recall of unjustly terminated staff, job security, and family-supporting wages and benefits. Although negotiations between the Union and the management have resumed, no new dates are scheduled.

During the pandemic, the hotel (formerly named Pacific Gateway) received millions of dollars from the federal government for the property to be used as a federal quarantine site for travellers. The employer terminated over 70% of staff – mostly women and people of colour with decades on the job – instead of agreeing to recall workers as business returned.  In response, remaining workers went on strike on May 3, 2021. A terminated room attendant filed a human rights complaint against the hotel on behalf of 89 women for wrongful firings on the basis of sex and racial discrimination.

“I’m angry that management terminated 143 of my co-workers, some with over 40 years on the job. We are a family here and since we walked out on strike, we still feel devalued for what we contribute to our hotel. What we are fighting for is not only for ourselves, but for all workers in the hospitality industry; if our hotel gets away with treating us this way, other employers will do the same,” said Dulce Pereyras-Verma, a striking Guest Services Agent. “BC’s tourism industry is important, and we are the ones who make it run. We are fighting for a contract with secure jobs and for real change in how workers like us – mostly women – are treated, so our profession is respected.”

Last year, the employer admitted to over a dozen violations of labour law during the protracted labour dispute when using impermissible replacement workers to perform tasks at the hotel. The Union recently filed more charges against the company at the BC Labour Relations Board.

“They threw our experienced staff away like garbage,” said Pardeep Thandi, a striking Room Attendant. “I worked at the hotel for 27 years, and I’ve now had to find a new job to support my daughters in university. Together with my co-workers we will keep fighting for our rights – these are our jobs, and we will not give up.”

The BC Federation of Labour and the Canadian Labour Congress have issued a boycott of the Radisson Blu Vancouver Airport and the Deck. The City of Richmond has resolved not to support events or promote business with the hotel until a resolution is reached with the workers.

Radisson Blu Vancouver Airport and The Deck are majority owned by Sukhminder Rai and operated by his hotel arm PHI Hotel Group. The company is currently being sued over allegations of civil fraud and civil misappropriation of almost $16 million in funds related to its management of Westin Calgary Airport Hotel when that hotel was also used as a federal quarantine site.

 

BoycottRadissonBluYVR.ca

Media Contact: Sharan Pawa, 604-710-1693, sharan@unitehere40.com

Press Release: Immigrant Worker Fired After Fighting Against Wage Discrimination at YVR Airport

Union calls on Vancouver Airport Authority to fire MGM Food Services

 

Richmond, BC – A YVR Vancouver Airport worker who signed a mass petition calling for a $25 airport living wage and encouraged co-workers to sign was fired shortly afterward by a YVR operator. UNITE HERE Local 40 is raising concerns about the action taken against the non-union worker and urging Vancouver Airport Authority to cut ties with the operator, MGM Food Services.

MGM Food Services operates two A&W locations at YVR Airport. On April 4, Ann John, a worker at the A&W outlet located in the international terminal, signed the petition calling for a $25 living wage at YVR. Ann is a new Canadian working towards her permanent resident status.

Three days later, MGM Food Services held an all-employee meeting where they warned employees about the petition which was being circulated among airport workers. At the meeting, management learned that Ms. John had added her name to the petition and had spoken to her co-workers about it as well. The company also posted a notice on the employee bulletin board cautioning workers about the $25 living wage petition.

Two weeks afterwards, she was told by management she was not a good fit for the organization and was fired. Ms. John had not been disciplined for any reason during her year and a half employment. Ms. John was one of the hundreds who signed the petition to YVR CEO Tamara Vrooman calling for a $25 living wage at the airport. Her termination followed a rally at YVR organized by Local 40 on April 19, the same day the petition was delivered to the Vancouver Airport Authority. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, along with fellow labour allies, joined rallying airport workers in support of their fight to end wage discrimination at YVR.

“If a food operator refused to serve a customer because of the color of their skin, they would be evicted. MGM fired someone just weeks after standing up against wage discrimination. They shouldn’t be allowed to operate in the airport. They fired her, now YVR needs to fire them,” stated Zailda Chan, President of UNITE HERE Local 40. “YVR was recently awarded the top airport in North America, yet no worker at this world-class airport should feel like they cannot express their views about earning a living wage.”

UNITE HERE Local 40 has informed the Vancouver Airport Authority of the unjust termination. The Union demands the Airport Authority ensure Ann is reinstated to her position and takes steps to cut ties with MGM Food Servies for its actions.

 

Media Contact: Sharan Pawa, 604-710-1693, sharan@unitehere40.com

Media Advisory: Mass Rally to Mark 3-Year Strike of Radisson Blu YVR Workers

Demonstration to be held Friday, May 3, at 12PM

 

Richmond, BC — Radisson Blu Vancouver Airport workers will hold a rally this Friday to commemorate three years of being on strike. The workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 40, have walked the picket line daily since May 2021 to fight for recall of unjustly terminated staff, job security, family-supporting wages, and better working conditions. During the pandemic, management terminated 143 long-term staff, mostly women and people of colour, while the hotel (formerly Pacific Gateway) raked in millions of taxpayer dollars when it was used as a federal quarantine site.

The BC Federation of Labour and the Canadian Labour Congress have issued a boycott of the Radisson Blu Vancouver Airport and the Deck until the owner agrees to rehire workers and settles a fair contract. The City of Richmond has resolved not to support events or promote business with the hotel until a resolution is reached with the workers.

 

WHO: Striking hotel workers and community allies from across the lower mainland.

WHERE: Radisson Blu Vancouver Airport, 3500 Cessna Drive, Richmond BC

WHEN: Friday, May 3 at 12:00 P.M.

VISUALS: Hotel workers and community allies chanting, marching, and speaking with colourful banners, signs, and bullhorns. Striking hotel workers and UNITE HERE

 

Local 40 representatives will be available for interviews in English and Punjabi.

Media Contact: Sharan Pawa, 604-710-1693, sharan@unitehere40.com

Media Advisory: NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh to Join Workers’ Rally to End Wage Discrimination at YVR Vancouver Airport

Nearly 2000 workers sign petition to YVR, call for a living wage for all YVR workers

 

Richmond, BC – This FRIDAY, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh will rally with YVR Vancouver International Airport workers in their fight to end wage discrimination at YVR, recently-rated the best airport in North America. A petition will be delivered to YVR, signed by nearly 2000 workers at the airport, which calls on the Vancouver Airport Authority to ensure a $25 living wage is paid to all YVR workers.

The Vancouver Airport Authority is a certified Living Wage Employer, yet over a thousand contracted food service, retail, and other workers at the airport are not covered by their living wage policy, with many earning minimum wage or just above. According to employment data obtained by the Union, YVR workers who are not covered by the living wage are 78% women, and most are immigrants. This is in stark contrast to YVR’s own staff, who earn a living wage and are majority male, and 65% white.

Yesterday, YVR Airport was named the top airport in North America by Skytrax. In a quote from Tamara Vrooman, YVR President and CEO, she states “Regaining our top spot as Best Airport in North America is a result of the dedication and hard work of our employees and everyone working here at YVR to serve travellers and our community.” At tomorrow’s rally, YVR’s low-paid workers, joined by labour and community allies, are standing up against YVR Airport’s wage discrimination for the respect and fair pay they deserve.

Last month, over 200 YVR Airport food service workers voted 85% in favour of strike action in their fight for a living wage. The impact of job actions at the world-class airport may cause disruptions as the busy travel season approaches.

 

WHAT: Rally to End Wage Discrimination at YVR

WHO: MP Jagmeet Singh with YVR Airport workers, joined by fellow hospitality workers and community allies

WHEN: FRIDAY, April 19

TIME: 2:00 PM

LOCATION: YVR International Arrivals (street level), 3211 Grant McConachie Wy, Richmond

VISUALS: MP Jagmeet Singh, airport workers and allies chanting, marching, and speaking with colourful banners, signs, and bullhorns.

 

 

Media Contact: Sharan Pawa, 604-710-1693, sharan@unitehere40.com

Press Release: Tenants Fight Larco for Safe Housing at Hearing

Second group of Larco tenants voice concerns over housing conditions

Vancouver, BC – West End tenants are facing off with major property developer and landlord, Larco Investments. At a BC Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) hearing yesterday, tenants of Regency Park Residences at 1225 Cardero Street aired concerns over how landlord Larco has addressed heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) issues in the building since 2017.

In September 2017, the City of Vancouver confirmed that the Regency Park ventilation system was not functioning. They referred the matter to the city prosecutor to enforce an HVAC repair order in July 2018. The City later decided against pursuing legal action. Recently, the tenants requested the City take action to ensure Larco completes proper HVAC repairs. Twenty-seven written testimonies were provided by tenants of Regency Park stating multiple issues with air quality and ventilation in the building over the years. Some report serious health concerns that they say may be caused by indoor air pollution in their homes. A city inspector was sent to Regency Park on March 4, who found multiple HVAC building code violations.

Tenants are seeking repairs to the ventilation system and monetary compensation.

“The tenants and their children living at 1225 Cardero have been breathing in polluted air for the past seven years,” said Aissa Aggoune, resident of Regency Park for 17 years. “Enforcement is needed to ensure Larco makes the necessary building repairs, so the 200 plus families of Regency Park have safe and healthy homes, and can live in dignity.”

Health Link BC’s webpage on Environmental Illness states: “Poor ventilation that restricts fresh air flow inside can be a cause of sick building syndrome.”

This is now the second group of tenants raising issues with Larco. Tenants of Fontainebleau Apartments (5455 Balsam Street) held a rally against Larco rezoning their building in October 2023. The rezoning application is currently pending approval by the City of Vancouver. Those tenants complained that Larco had been cutting services, including heating.

Larco Investments is owned by the Lalji family, one of the wealthiest families in Canada, who holds a large portfolio of real estate including Park Royal mall, Maple Leaf Storage, and hotels, including the Sheraton Vancouver Airport.

The RTB has yet to rule on the allegations.

 

Media Contact: Sharan Pawa, 604-710-1693, sharan@unitehere40.com