UNITE HERE Local 40 Launches Week of Action to Spotlight Westmont Hospitality’s Treatment of Pan Pacific Vancouver Workers Actions planned in 20 cities worldwide
WHAT: UNITE HERE Local 40 is kicking off a week of action to call attention to Westmont Hospitality’s treatment of Pan Pacific Vancouver hotel workers during the pandemic. Actions will take place in 20 cities worldwide to urge Westmont to return workers to their pre-pandemic jobs.
WHEN: Sunday, March 13th to Friday, March 18th, 2022
WHO: UNITE HERE members, international labour allies, and community activists across North America and Europe.
WHERE: The week of action kicks off in London, England with actions planned in 20 cities across Canada, the United States, Great Britain, and Europe.
WHY: Westmont-owned Pan Pacific Vancouver terminated nearly 100 workers during the pandemic rather than commit to return them to their pre-pandemic jobs as business recovers. Of the total number of women fired, 94% were women of colour. Some of the affected workers served the hotel for over 20 years. Westmont took advantage of the pandemic to dispose of their long-term workforce. Meanwhile, Westmont affiliates took over $48 million in taxpayer backed COVID-relief funds across North America, including Canadian wage subsidies intended to retain workers through the pandemic. Westmont, based in Mississauga and Houston, is a multinational hotel owner and operator with over 400 hotels worldwide.
Contact: Stephanie Fung, 604-928-7356 or sfung@unitehere40.com, or Michelle Travis, 778-960-9785 or mtravis@unitehere.org
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UNITE HERE Local 40 is a labour union representing workers in the hotel, food service and airport industries throughout British Columbia. Learn more at UniteHereLocal40.org.