Day 15 of “Fast for Our Jobs” – Hunger Strikers to Move Encampment, Demonstrate Outside Tourism Minister Lisa Beare’s Office to Save 50,000 Hotel Jobs

Contact: Stephanie Fung, sfung@local40union.com, 604-928-7356; or Michelle Travis, mtravis@unitehere.org, 778-960-9785

Vancouver, B.C.— Fasting hotel workers and their allies will hold a demonstration outside Tourism Minister Lisa Beare’s office to urge the government to protect 50,000 hotel jobs.  Now entering their third week, hotel workers have been fasting on the lawn of the BC Legislature since August 10th.  They will bring the “Fast for Our Jobs” hunger strike directly to Minister Beare’s Maple Ridge office this Thursday. While the government considers the tourism industry’s request for a $680 million bailout, businesses are firing their long-term, laid-off staff. Hotel workers are urging Minister Beare and the province to protect hotel workers laid-off due to the pandemic.  The fasters will encamp outside Beare’s office beginning August 27 and continue their hunger strike until the government grants workers a legal right to return to their jobs.

WHO:  Hotel workers, community allies from across the Lower Mainland.

WHERE:  20130 Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge (outside Minister’s Beare’s constituency office)

WHEN:  Thursday, August 27, 12 p.m.*

VISUALS:  Fasters and supporters chanting, singing and marching, socially distanced and wearing masks, holding colourful banners, signs, and bullhorns.

*Media availability with fasting hotel workers.

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UNITE HERE Local 40 is the hospitality workers’ union and represents members in the hotel, food service and airport industries throughout British Columbia. Learn more at UniteHereLocal40.org.