Media Advisory: Hotel Workers to Kick Off Hunger Strike outside the BC Legislature, Calling on Province to Secure 50,000 Jobs before $680 Million Bailout of Tourism Sector

Contacts: Stephanie Fung, 604-928-7356, [email protected], or Michelle Travis, 778-960-9785, [email protected].

Press conference will precede launch of open-ended “Fast for Our Jobs.”

Vancouver, B.C.— Hotel workers struggling to feed their families and pay rent will launch an open-ended hunger strike outside the BC Legislature to draw attention to the crisis facing the province’s 50,000 laid-off hotel workers. The workers, who led a car caravan protest in June and demonstrations in Victoria and Vancouver last month, plan to encamp at the Legislature and forgo food until the government gives them a legal right to return to work as business recovers. While the province contemplates the tourism sector’s request for a $680 million bailout package, hotel workers need a guarantee that they will be first in line to get their jobs back. The “Fast for Our Jobs” will begin on Monday, August 10.

WHO:            Laid-off hotel workers, community allies, faith leaders from Victoria and the Lower Mainland.

WHERE:        BC Legislative Assembly, 501 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC

WHEN:          Monday, August 10 at 10:00 AM

Press Conference begins at 10:00 AM;

Blessing Ceremony to open the hunger strike begins immediately afterward.

VISUALS:     Fasters and their supporters encamped on steps of BC Legislature, wearing masks, distanced 2 metres apart, chanting and speaking with colourful banners, signs, and bullhorns.

Media availability with UNITE HERE Local 40 president Zailda Chan and Hunger Strikers.

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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.