Archive for category: News

Press Release: Union and Community Delegation Delivers 2,000 Signatures Opposing Holborn Luxury Development  

Vancouver, BC —  A delegation of union members and community allies delivered a stack of petitions to development giant Holborn Group this afternoon, sending a clear message that the project does not reflect the needs of Vancouver residents facing an affordability crisis.

More than 2,000 residents have signed the petition, opposed to the “supertall” tower project which could be quickly rushed through Council this July before the municipal election. The petition raises concern about the potential fast-tracking of this project, and notes Holborn’s history of displacing low-income residents at Little Mountain and neglect of Dunsmuir House, a former SRO.

A project of this magnitude should receive meaningful public scrutiny and debate; any Council vote on this project should take place after the election this fall.

“Too many workers and young people are struggling to pay rent and stay in the city,” said Zailda Chan, President of UNITE HERE Local 40.  “Residents want a different vision for Vancouver. Holborn Group and City Hall need to listen and put residents’ needs first before moving forward on a project that will be unaffordable for most of us.”

Holburn seeks to rezone several development sites in downtown Vancouver to build a luxury megaproject at 501-595 W Georgia, 619 Richards, and 500 Dunsmuir, with 1,288 condo units, 920 hotel rooms, 273 rental units, and a vow to build social housing at another site. The project could displace over a dozen independent businesses, some of whom are long-term tenants.

The online version of the petition can be found here.

CONTACT: Michelle Travis, [email protected], 778-960-9785

 

 

 

 

Media Advisory: Who is Our City Built For? Rally Today at Vancouver City Hall to Demand Affordability Now!

Vancouver, BC – While Council considers a proposal to rollback requirements for below-market rentals today, hospitality workers and community advocates will be holding a protest this afternoon at City Hall calling on elected officials to stop prioritizing developer profits over housing affordability.

Without a public hearing or opportunity for public input at today’s meeting, Council may approve the second phase of its “fast-track” rental housing plan, allowing larger towers while weakening below-market rental requirements for most new six-storey rental buildings across the city.  Council could also allow developers of several previously approved rental projects to walk back their commitments to provide 20% of units at below-market rents – letting developers drop affordability promises that were part of securing city approval.

The rally is part of a broader pushback against development decisions made by Council that fail to address Vancouver’s affordability crisis and increasingly put corporate interests ahead of community needs.  The rally comes days after UNITE HERE Local 40 filed a challenge to the Council’s approval of a controversial floating hotel development in Coal Harbour.

WHO: Hospitality workers, members of UNITE HERE Local 40, housing advocates, and community supporters.

WHEN: Today – Tuesday, May 19 at 5PM

WHERE: Vancouver City Hall, 453 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC.

VISUALS: Workers and supporters marching and chanting with colourful signs and drums.

CONTACT: Michelle Travis, [email protected]., 778-960-9785

 

Press Release: UNITE HERE Local 40 Takes City of Vancouver to Court Challenging Approval of Luxury Floating Hotel

Vancouver, BC – UNITE HERE Local 40 is taking the City of Vancouver to court challenging City Council’s approval of a controversial luxury floating hotel development at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

The Union is asking the Supreme Court of British Columbia to quash Council’s April 14, 2026, decision approving the proposed 250-room floating hotel, or “floatel,” over concerns that critical information about the project was withheld, denying the public a fair hearing process before Council voted to approve the project.

Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre Ltd. submitted the rezoning application on behalf of Sunborn Group, the international mega-yacht hotel company behind similar floating hotel developments in other countries. The applicant needed the City to approve significant changes to current zoning regulations to move forward on a project which will permanently alter one of Vancouver’s most iconic public spaces.

The Union argues the public hearing process was procedurally flawed because key presentation materials and visual renderings available before the hearing minimized the project’s visual impacts, while new renderings presented during the public hearing depicted substantially different views of the floating hotel and its effect on the waterfront.

“This project should not have been approved,” said Zailda Chan, President of UNITE HERE Local 40. “Council approved a massive luxury hotel on Vancouver’s waterfront without giving the public the full picture. Vancouver residents deserve a fair and transparent public process, not one that erodes public trust.”

UNITE HERE Local 40, the union for hospitality workers, opposed the floating hotel proposal. The Union urged Council not to prioritize luxury tourism development over the public interest, particularly for a project that does not address Vancouver’s urgent affordability challenges.

The petition seeks an order setting aside the City’s approval and sending the matter back for reconsideration through a new public hearing process with proper disclosure of all relevant materials.

The case has been filed against the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre Ltd. under British Columbia’s Judicial Review Procedure Act.

CONTACT : Michelle Travis, [email protected], 778-960-9785

 

 

Press Release: 1,500 YVR Workers Demand $1,000 FIFA Bonus Ahead of YVR Airport Annual Public Meeting

VANCOUVER, BC — More than 1,500 YVR airport workers and supporters have signed a petition demanding that Vancouver International Airport provide a $1,000 FIFA World Cup bonus for all airport workers ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026.

The petition was delivered to the Vancouver Airport Authority by members of UNITE HERE Local 40 in advance of YVR’s Annual Public Meeting yesterday, where airport executives highlighted another year of strong financial performance, record passenger traffic, and international recognition.

In 2025, YVR welcomed a record 26.9 million passengers and reported approximately $717 million in annual revenues, reflecting continued growth at the airport as they prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Workers say those record numbers have not translated into economic security for many of the frontline employees who keep the airport operating every day.

“Behind the awards and record passenger numbers are workers who are working two and three jobs just to make ends meet,” said Jennie Padilla, a cook at Sal Y Limon.  “Cleaners, food service workers, wheelchair attendants, security staff, baggage handlers, and retail workers are the reason YVR functions every day, yet too many are still earning near minimum wage.”

Workers say the pressure on frontline staff will only intensify during FIFA World Cup 2026, when YVR is expected to experience significantly increased passenger volumes and operational demands as one of Canada’s key international gateways.

“If YVR can afford executive compensation packages, major expansion projects, and global FIFA branding opportunities, it can afford to recognize the workers who will carry the burden of making the tournament successful,” said Padilla.

The petition calls on YVR leadership and the Vancouver Airport Authority to commit to a $1,000 FIFA bonus for all airport workers, including contracted workers employed throughout the airport ecosystem, as a tangible recognition of the workforce behind the airport’s success.

Media Contact: Michelle Travis, [email protected], 778-960-9785

Press Release: Council Betrays Vancouver Residents Again, Votes to “Fast-Track” Rezoning across Local Neighbourhoods

ABC Councillors Joined by OneCity in Yet Another Developer Giveaway

Vancouver, BC – In a decision that disregards widespread public opposition, Vancouver City Council has voted to approve the city’s controversial “fast-track” rezoning plan, enabling a sweeping mass upzoning across thousands of properties to accelerate market rental and small hotel development.

Despite more than 1,700 letters submitted to Council and hours of public testimony raising concerns about affordability, displacement, and the erosion of public input, ABC Councillors were joined by Councillors Lucy Maloney and Rebecca Bligh to support the plan. Councillor Pete Fry abstained.

The approved policy will allow 6–8 storey market rental buildings and hotels across key neighbourhood corridors, without requiring meaningful below-market housing, and creates carve-outs for hotel developers to bypass public hearings entirely.

“We need homes tourism workers can afford, not expensive market rentals and hotels,” said Zailda Chan, President of UNITE HERE Local 40. “Council had a clear choice: act on affordability or hand over even more power to developers. They chose the latter.”

Speakers warned Councilors that the so-called “fast-track” proposal would amount to a citywide giveaway, driving up land values, fueling speculation, and accelerating displacement of renters, workers, and small businesses.

At the same time, Council continues to prioritize hotel development over affordability. Thousands of hotel rooms have already been approved, with thousands more in the pipeline, while working people struggle to afford rent.

These changes will directly impact neighbourhood corridors such as Main Street, E. Hastings (Hastings/Sunrise), Victoria Drive, Fraser, Nanaimo, Renfrew, Commercial Drive, West 10th Avenue, West 4th Avenue, Cornwall Avenue, Alma, West 41st Avenue, Kingsway, and many others.

UNITE HERE Local 40 represents hospitality workers across Metro Vancouver, many of whom are directly impacted by rising rents and housing instability.

“Workers in this city are being pushed further and further out,” Chan added. “Approving more high-priced rentals and hotels without addressing affordability is not a solution, it’s the problem.”

CONTACT: Michelle Travis, [email protected], 778-960-9785