Archive for category: Blog

Message from President Zailda Chan to Local 40 Members

Dear UNITE HERE Local 40 members,

The COVID-19 global health pandemic is impacting all workers in the hospitality industry in ways that none of us would have ever imagined. With the drastic downturn of tourism, border closures and public health measures, I know a majority of UNITE HERE Local 40’s members working across British Columbia in airports, hotels, food service and camps are facing economic hardships never experienced before. In a matter of weeks, expenses like paying for our rent, mortgage, car, utilities and food have become inconceivable.

But we are in this together.  We need to stick together just as we have in the past when the employer has wanted to offer us very little for a contract or fighting unfair treatment. As a union, UNITE HERE will not sit quietly during this crisis. We plan to demand and work on all fronts to make sure hospitality workers are receiving the support they need to get through this period. We are in communication with employers and government officials to discuss how we minimize the impact on you and your families.

In the meantime, we have posted information on our website to address your immediate questions about Employment Insurance, Local 40 medical benefits and other information.

Employment Insurance

To answer any questions you may have about your eligibility for EI benefits, please click here.  If you have additional questions about EI, send Local 40 an email at [email protected] or text to 604-813-2105.

Union Health Benefits

Local 40 is reaching out to employers about extending your medical coverage to protect you and your family.  Click here for answers to questions you have about health benefits.  For updates on your health benefits, please text “Local40” to 393939.

Job Opportunities for Local 40 Members

Local 40 has been working with Compass Group to allow for Local 40 members to be offered positions IMMEDIATELY in area hospitals as casual cleaning employees throughout B.C.  Click here to learn more.

Other Assistance

There has been a flurry of announcements regarding financial assistance from various levels of government to workers in need of support.  Check here for ongoing updates on our website.

For Members Who are Working

We want to make sure that members who are working during this time are safe and provided with proper training and safety gear.  No one should have to choose between income and protecting their health.  If you have any concerns about health and safety at your workplace, please contact your organizer or workplace committee contact.

Regular Communications with Local 40 Members

This week, Local 40 held a conference call with over 150 committee members representing workplaces across the province to provide updates.  We will continue to update members regularly.  If you have questions about your workplace, please contact your organizer or committee person.  And if you have family and friends working in hospitality and food service who need assistance, they are welcome to contact us as well at [email protected].

Now more than ever, we need to work together as we will go much further together than on our own. 

In solidarity,

Zailda Chan

President

 

COVID-19 UPDATE: UNION HEALTH BENEFITS FAQ

To download a PDF of this information, please click here.

 

How long will my Union Health Benefits last if I’ve been laid off?

All of our union members have different eligibility depending on your workplace. Please call Member Service Centre between 9am and 430pm at 604-294-4441, state your first and last name and your workplace. They will tell you if you’ve been laid off how long your current medical benefits will last.

For most employees that have been working for an average of 30-40 hours per week for the past 3-4 months, your health care benefits will continue through the end of April, or beyond.

Again, to check on your health care coverage, please contact:

Local 40 Hospitality Industry Member Service Centre

c/o Morneau

2nd Floor—411 Dunsmuir Street

Vancouver, BC V6B 1X4

 

Hours of Operation: 9am to 5pm

Local Phone: 604-294-4441

Toll Free Phone: 1-800-661-2766

Fax: 604-632-9930

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.myhealthandpension.hroffice.com

What if I have health care benefits through my Employer and not through the Union?

You should contact your Employer and ask if they’ll be extending your health benefits and for how long. You should also speak to your Union Representative and Department committee member about how to pressure your Employer to do the right thing.

 

Do I have to pay Union Dues if I am laid off to keep my Health Benefits?

No. If you are laid off, you will not pay Union Dues regardless of your medical coverage.  You will be put on a withdrawal card and your health care coverage will continue as described above.

 

Will my Union Health Benefits be extended beyond my current eligibility?

Local 40 believes all Employers should be extending medical benefits in this time of crisis. Some employers across North America have already committed to extend medical benefits and we will be calling on all of our B.C. Employers to do the same. Local 40 and Union Committee members will be discussing how to ensure employers extend medical benefits soon.

 

If you would like updates on health benefits, please text Local40 to 393939.

If you have an issue that is NOT being addressed by the Member Service Centre, please contact [email protected].

BC Premier John Horgan visits HMSHost workers at YVR!

 

Local 40’s airport members made history this month! For the first time ever, the sitting BC Premier met with HMS Host workers at YVR on Thursday, June 14.  Premier John Horgan heard compelling stories from our members who discussed how YVR Airport squeezes contracted workers by keeping wages low, flipping contractors, and discouraging union organizing.

We told the Premier we need YVR to commit to a $15 airport minimum wage policy now, a worker retention policy for all YVR workers, and respect for workers’ rights to form a union at YVR.

For nearly an hour, our members swapped stories with the Premier about the challenges of living in Vancouver on low wages, juggling multiple jobs, and their concerns for their future.  The Premier discussed how the Province is tackling the challenge of affordability in BC and other efforts underway to make life better for British Columbians.

We look forward to working with Premier Horgan and other leaders in our community to press for change and a better future at YVR!

(Photographer: Peter Holst)

Other news:

Local 40 members and allies visit the office of YVR’s CEO, go to: https://bit.ly/2lsw7cX

Join Us! HMSHost Local 40 members to call for $15 minimum wage

What:     Fair Wages Commission

When:    Thursday, November 23, 2017

Time:      5:00 PM

Where:   Hyatt Regency, 655 Burrard Street

Our city is becoming more and more unaffordable by the day.  We need a $15 minimum wage!  The new provincial government has launched the Fair Wages Commission to hear directly from us at public consultations throughout BC.

This Thursday, the Commission will be coming to Vancouver and Local 40 members will be there!

YVR airport members from HMS Host will tell the panel how urgently we need to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour so that more working people can make ends meet and support their families.

We want the public to know that there is no place for minimum wage jobs at YVR or any workplace in BC.  The price of housing, gas, food and other necessities keeps going up, but starting wages are too low to keep pace.

Join us this Thursday to support your co-workers from HMSHost! Send a note to [email protected] and let us know you’ll be there.

We want to send a strong message to the provincial government that the time to increase the minimum wage to $15 is now!