MEDIA ADVISORY: UNITE HERE Local 40 and BCGEU to Hold Press Conference; Major BC Unions Vow to Boycott Hilton Vancouver Metrotown through 2022 Unless Hotel Settles Labour Dispute by end of June

Vancouver, B.C.— Today, on Thursday June 3rd, union leaders alongside locked out Hilton Vancouver Metrotown hotel workers will hold a press conference announcing a new pledge that will see large unions vowing to boycott Hilton Metrotown for the entire year of 2022, causing an estimated loss of $2 million annually for the hotel. Previously, unions such as BCGEU, HEU, and MoveUp, pledged to withhold their business until the Hilton Metrotown guaranteed workers a right to return to their jobs. Hotel management locked out workers on April 15 after firing 97 long-term workers. Now, as workers enter the 7th week of the lockout, unions have decided that if the Hilton Metrotown does not reinstate the terminated workers and resolve the labour dispute by June 30, 2021, they will relocate their business for the entire calendar year of 2022. So far, 11 unions have joined the pledge, indicating a potentially devastating financial hit for the hotel.

 

WHO:              Union leaders of UNITE HERE Local 40 and BCGEU, and locked out Hilton Metrotown workers.
WHERE:         6083 McKay Ave, Burnaby, BC

 

WHEN:            Thursday, June 3, 11 a.m.

 

VISUALS:     Hotel workers and allies wearing masks standing 2 metres apart, chanting and speaking with colourful banners, signs, and bullhorns.

 

Media availability with union leaders of UNITE HERE Local 40 and BCGEU, and Hilton Metrotown hotel workers.

 

For additional information, please contact: Stephanie Fung, 604-928-7356, sfung@unitehere40.com

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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.