Employer reneges on promise to extend health benefits after inducing workers to sign away their severance rights
Vancouver, BC — Today, hotel workers filed a class action lawsuit against the Pan Pacific Vancouver for reneging on its contractual agreement to maintain their health benefits during the pandemic. Pan Pacific promised to provide workers extended health benefits indefinitely if workers agreed to give up certain entitlements, including severance pay. Despite the agreement, hotel management abruptly terminated workers’ health coverage. This is the second class action lawsuit workers have filed against Pan Pacific following an earlier lawsuit filed in January over wrongful terminations.
The suit, which was filed on behalf of all employees who signed the casual agreement but later lost benefits, alleges that the hotel misled workers, misrepresented the terms of the agreement, and failed to act in good faith. The case was filed by three employees who signed the agreement, including a guest services lead, a guest services agent, and a cook, whose extended health benefits were recently terminated. The workers are seeking certification as a class action on behalf of all affected workers.
In the agreement, hotel management offered to continue workers’ health benefits and pay them $250 if they gave up their regular full-time status to become casual, on-call workers and waive their severance rights. Of the 156 workers offered the new contract last summer, 93 signed. Most or all have since had their benefits terminated.
Tonia Lee, one of the plaintiffs and a guest services lead at the hotel, said: “I gave up my full-time status to become a casual worker because extended benefits are important for my spouse and I. At the time, I knew I would have neither work nor money coming in and the least that I could have would be extended medical and dental coverage. I was never aware of an end date at all to the healthcare membership plan, which I feel the company knew very well. I would never have signed this contract knowing also that I was giving up my severance of many years. I feel they took advantage of us at our most vulnerable when the future looked bleak. I actually thought they cared about their long-term employees that put their whole life into this business. It’s disgusting.”
Zailda Chan, President of UNITE HERE Local 40, said: “The Pan Pacific’s actions were dishonest and negligent on all fronts. Hotel management promised to maintain workers’ health benefits during a public health crisis, then yanked them away after workers gave up their job status and severance rights. Is this how hotel employers demonstrate their care for the women and people of colour who worked so hard for them over the years?”
Workers are seeking damages for losses that arose due to terminated health benefits. This includes punitive damages and costs that would have been paid by the healthcare provider had Pan Pacific abided by its agreement.
The high-end Pan Pacific Vancouver, located at Canada Place, is owned by an affiliate of Westmont Hospitality Group. Westmont is one of the world’s largest privately held hospitality companies with over 500 hotels worldwide.
Media Contact: Stephanie Fung, 604-928-7356, sfung@local40union.com, or Michelle Travis, mtravis@unitehere.org, 778-960-9785
###
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.
http://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.png00Michelle Travishttp://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.pngMichelle Travis2021-04-12 09:39:382021-04-12 09:39:38PRESS RELEASE: Pan Pacific Workers Bring Second Class Action Lawsuit Over Breach of Contract
Vancouver, BC – Today, UNITE HERE Local 40 held a press conference with Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley, BC Teachers Federation President, Teri Mooring, and other labour and community leaders to blast Hilton Metrotown for issuing 72-hour lockout notice this morning and recently terminating almost 100 long-term workers.
Hilton Metrotown could lockout workers as early as Friday, April 9. The lockout threat comes after several union customers, BC Teachers Federation, BCGEU, HEU, MoveUP, and PSAC-BC, announced they will not patronize the hotel until management commits to return workers, most of whom are women and people of colour, to their jobs as business recovers. Workers have been on partial strike since February 2021.
Hilton Metrotown is leading the industry-wide attack on BC’s hotel workers. Mass firings are being used as an extortion tactic to strip away economic security for workers. This prompted hotel workers to launch the “Unequal Women” campaign to draw attention to Hilton Metrotown and other hotels that refuse to commit to bring back their workers as the industry recovers. Many hotels are trying to turn back the clock on working conditions that disproportionately impact women and racialized workers.
In addition to Mayor Hurley and Ms. Mooring, Hilton Metrotown workers were joined by leaders of BCGEU, HEU, ATU, Single Mothers Alliance BC, Metro Vancouver Alliance, and Women Transforming Cities at today’s press conference.
Quotes:
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley:
“The backbone of Hilton Metrotown is the staff and the people who have worked to make it a special place. Hilton management needs to get back to the table, deal with the layoff and recall provisions of the contract, extend that until after the pandemic is over, and allow workers the dignity to return to their jobs. They’re long-term employees. They made a difference to this hotel. That’s why I’m here to show my support for all these workers, many of them personal friends, many of them residents of Burnaby.”
BCTF President Teri Mooring:
“It is disheartening that hotels such as Hilton Metrotown are seeking permanent concessions for a temporary situation that we’re in, which is the pandemic. [BCTF] has chosen to withdraw all of our business from the Hilton Metrotown until there is a fairly negotiated collective agreement and restoration of laid-off workers’ jobs and a right to recall has been secured. There should be no pandemic profiteering in this situation. This is not what we expect in BC. We expect all workers to be treated fairly and we call on Hilton Metrotown to do just that.”
Sophea Kong, former Hilton Metrotown Banquet Server, 13 years
“After 13 years, the Hilton Metrotown terminated me last month. The hotel was always like a family to me, so I didn’t see this coming. It’s unfair for the hotel to treat workers like this. I supported and raised my three sons on this job. My co-workers and I gave everything to our hotel over the years. Where is hotel management when we need them? The hotel should do the right thing and commit to bring us back.”
Baljinder Kahlon, former Hilton Senior Housekeeping Supervisor, 21 years
“I was part of the team that welcomed guests when the hotel opened in 1999. I’ve seen Hilton Metrotown go through two renovations and the Olympics. I am one of the many workers terminated last week. After our years of service, this is the kind of treatment we receive? That’s not acceptable. On behalf of all Hilton Metrotown workers, we deserve to return to our jobs when business comes back because we’re the ones who made the hotel successful. In a time like this, Hilton should value their long-term staff by protecting our jobs, not firing us.”
CONTACT: Stephanie Fung, sfung@local40union.com, 604-928-7356; or Michelle Travis, mtravis@unitehere.org, 778-960-9785
###
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.
http://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.png00Michelle Travishttp://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.pngMichelle Travis2021-04-06 14:50:332021-04-06 14:50:33PRESS RELEASE: Hilton Metrotown Files 72-hour Lockout Notice; Burnaby Mayor, Unions, Community Groups Throw Support to Hotel Workers
UNITE HERE Local 40 will host a press conference today to address Hilton Vancouver Metrotown’s 72-hour lockout notice which was served this morning. Last week, the hotel terminated 22 long-term workers — bringing total job losses to nearly 100. Workers have been on partial strike since February 2021. Several large union customers, BC Teachers Federation, BCGEU, HEU, MoveUP, and PSAC BC, have vowed they will not patronize the hotel until they commit to return workers, most of whom are women and people of colour, to their jobs as business recovers. Hilton is leading the industry-wide attack on hotel workers in the province by attempting to roll back economic gains made by workers over the years and replacing them with cheaper hires.
WHO: Hilton Metrotown workers and community allies, including Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley, and representatives from BCGEU, Single Mothers Alliance BC, Metro Vancouver Alliance, and Women Transforming Cities.
CONTACT: Stephanie Fung, sfung@local40union.com, 604-928-7356; or Michelle Travis, mtravis@unitehere.org, 778-960-9785
###
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.
http://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.png00Michelle Travishttp://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.pngMichelle Travis2021-04-06 09:02:242021-04-06 09:02:24MEDIA ADVISORY: UNITE HERE Local 40 to Hold Press Conference to Address Hilton Vancouver Metrotown’s Lockout Threat; Burnaby Mayor to Join in Support of Fired Hotel Workers
Vancouver, BC — A group of BC’s largest unions are pledging they will not patronize Hilton Vancouver Metrotown as long as the hotel refuses to guarantee its laid-off workers a right to return to their jobs. The BCTF, BCGEU, HEU, MoveUP, and PSAC-BC have declared they will not use the hotel or make future bookings there in response to the hotel’s mass pandemic firings of long-term workers.
Hilton Vancouver Metrotown has fired 90 long-term workers — most of whom are women and people of colour — without notice or cause. Workers recently launched the BC Unequal Women campaign to draw attention to the impact of pandemic firings on the hotel industry’s predominantly female workforce.
The five unions delivered the message to hotel management during the workers’ latest bargaining session. Unions are regular customers of this Hilton and account for a significant portion of its customer base. They typically book events far in advance and account for a steady stream of revenue for hotels looking to ramp up business when COVID-related travel restrictions are lifted.
Last month, Hilton Metrotown workers overwhelmingly voted in favour of a strike over the firings and began limited strike action. Workers are urging all customers to book elsewhere until the hotel agrees to return workers to their jobs as the economy restarts.
Quotes:
Teri Mooring, President, BCTF:
“The BC Teachers’ Federation and our 47,000 members stand in solidarity with UNITE HERE! Local 40 members. Consequently, we have decided to withdraw all Federation business from the Hilton Metrotown Hotel until workers, including those laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic, are guaranteed recall rights and have achieved a fairly negotiated collective agreement. We have no interest in doing business with a corporation that appears to be attempting to use the pandemic to blatantly disregard the rights of unionized employees, who are primarily women and people of colour. Our hope is that our collective action sends a strong message to the Hilton Metrotown.”
Stephanie Smith, President, BCGEU:
“The BCGEU will refuse to book at the Hilton Metrotown as long as they use the pandemic as an excuse to eliminate the jobs of long-term staff, primarily women and persons of colour. On behalf of our more than 80,000 members, we stand shoulder to shoulder with hotel workers as they stand up to this attack on their livelihoods. We will direct all future bookings to hotels that commit to return workers to their jobs as tourism returns.”
Betty Valenzuela, Financial Secretary, Hospital Employees’ Union:
“These are difficult times for workers and businesses in many parts of the economy – and the impact on hotel workers has been particularly devastating. But things will get better, and we would have expected that the Hilton Metrotown would plan to return these workers to their jobs once business picks up. I’m disappointed to learn that this is not the case. We value our relationship with the Hilton Metrotown Hotel, but I want to be clear that we will withhold future bookings in the face of unjust treatment of these workers.”
Lori Mayhew, Secretary-Treasurer, MoveUP:
“This pandemic has reminded us how important it is to stick together. MoveUP is supporting the workers at the Hilton Metrotown who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. If the Hilton Metrotown can’t respect their workers and guarantee their rights to return to their jobs, then we will take our business elsewhere.”
Jamey Mills, Regional Executive Vice-President of PSAC-BC:
“Our union has been a customer of the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown for many years. Our position is clear, we will not use the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, or consider future bookings at the hotel, until all workers laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic are guaranteed a right to return to their jobs once business returns.”
Media Contacts: Stephanie Fung, sfung@local40union.com, 604-928-7356; or Michelle Travis, mtravis@unitehere.org, 778-960-9785
###
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.
http://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.png00Michelle Travishttp://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.pngMichelle Travis2021-04-01 11:40:112021-04-01 11:40:11Press Release: Big Union Customers Vow Not to Patronize Hilton Vancouver Metrotown
Vancouver, BC – Today, laid-off Pan Pacific Vancouver workers held a protest urging the hotel to stop a fourth round of job cuts. Over 200 Pan Pacific laid-off workers remain uncertain about their future at the hotel. The hotel applied for a variance of B.C.’s temporary layoff provisions for only 16 workers, and their 13-week period is nearing a close. The Ministry of Labour has told workers they could soon be at risk of termination. Those affected by the expiring variance are just a few of the more than 200 workers who want to know why the hotel is leaving them in the dark.
After three rounds of mass firings, Pan Pacific applied for a variance to extend BC’s temporary layoff provisions to cover just 16 out of the more than 200 remaining laid off workers. However, laid-off workers have sought answers about their expiring variance and why the hotel chose not to apply on behalf of all its laid-off staff. Instead, the hotel has fired multiple groups of workers, many of whom are women of colour.
For months, the hotel has failed to inform workers or their union, UNITE HERE Local 40, of their current status. The Union sent a letter to Pan Pacific last week requesting information about their plans for remaining workers. Pan Pacific responded today to confirm that they sought variances for only 16 workers.
This comes after Pan Pacific fired approximately 100 long-term laid-off workers, without cause, in the middle of the pandemic. The hotel also urged workers to sign away their full-time status and their severance rights – then fired some of them anyway. A class action lawsuit has been filed against the hotel on behalf of fired workers. Now the future of more than 200 Pan Pacific workers remains uncertain.
Rosario Luft, a public area attendant who has dedicated 27 years serving customers at Pan Pacific Vancouver, is worried she will be fired this week: “I’m a single mom and raised my son on this job. Pan Pacific isn’t telling me anything. So many of my co-workers have been fired already. After all my years of service and hard work, is the hotel planning to fire and replace me too?”
Zailda Chan, President of UNITE HERE Local 40, said: “Pan Pacific workers – many of them women who have worked here for nearly 30 years – deserve an answer. Does Pan Pacific plan to fire more workers? We won’t let this hotel get away with treating workers like they are disposable. Thousands of hotel workers – predominantly women – are losing their jobs in this industry. They are demanding hotels commit to bring them back when the industry recovers.”
UNITE HERE Local 40 launched the Unequal Women campaign this month to spotlight hotels, like Pan Pacific Vancouver, who use the pandemic to eliminate jobs. Hotels across the province are refusing to commit to bring back those who clean hotel rooms, cook meals, and serve guests as the industry recovers.
Pan Pacific Vancouver is owned by an affiliate of Westmont Hospitality Group, the world’s largest privately-owned hotel group.
Media Contacts: Stephanie Fung, sfung@local40union.com, 604-928-7356; or Michelle Travis, mtravis@unitehere.org, 778-960-9785
###
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.
http://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.png00Michelle Travishttp://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.pngMichelle Travis2021-03-23 14:12:132021-03-23 14:12:13PRESS RELEASE: Pan Pacific Vancouver Workers Question Hotel Over Expiring COVID-19 Layoff Extensions: Are You Firing More of Us as Recovery Nears?
PRESS RELEASE: Pan Pacific Workers Bring Second Class Action Lawsuit Over Breach of Contract
For Immediate Release
April 12, 2021
Employer reneges on promise to extend health benefits after inducing workers to sign away their severance rights
Vancouver, BC — Today, hotel workers filed a class action lawsuit against the Pan Pacific Vancouver for reneging on its contractual agreement to maintain their health benefits during the pandemic. Pan Pacific promised to provide workers extended health benefits indefinitely if workers agreed to give up certain entitlements, including severance pay. Despite the agreement, hotel management abruptly terminated workers’ health coverage. This is the second class action lawsuit workers have filed against Pan Pacific following an earlier lawsuit filed in January over wrongful terminations.
The suit, which was filed on behalf of all employees who signed the casual agreement but later lost benefits, alleges that the hotel misled workers, misrepresented the terms of the agreement, and failed to act in good faith. The case was filed by three employees who signed the agreement, including a guest services lead, a guest services agent, and a cook, whose extended health benefits were recently terminated. The workers are seeking certification as a class action on behalf of all affected workers.
In the agreement, hotel management offered to continue workers’ health benefits and pay them $250 if they gave up their regular full-time status to become casual, on-call workers and waive their severance rights. Of the 156 workers offered the new contract last summer, 93 signed. Most or all have since had their benefits terminated.
Tonia Lee, one of the plaintiffs and a guest services lead at the hotel, said: “I gave up my full-time status to become a casual worker because extended benefits are important for my spouse and I. At the time, I knew I would have neither work nor money coming in and the least that I could have would be extended medical and dental coverage. I was never aware of an end date at all to the healthcare membership plan, which I feel the company knew very well. I would never have signed this contract knowing also that I was giving up my severance of many years. I feel they took advantage of us at our most vulnerable when the future looked bleak. I actually thought they cared about their long-term employees that put their whole life into this business. It’s disgusting.”
Zailda Chan, President of UNITE HERE Local 40, said: “The Pan Pacific’s actions were dishonest and negligent on all fronts. Hotel management promised to maintain workers’ health benefits during a public health crisis, then yanked them away after workers gave up their job status and severance rights. Is this how hotel employers demonstrate their care for the women and people of colour who worked so hard for them over the years?”
Workers are seeking damages for losses that arose due to terminated health benefits. This includes punitive damages and costs that would have been paid by the healthcare provider had Pan Pacific abided by its agreement.
The high-end Pan Pacific Vancouver, located at Canada Place, is owned by an affiliate of Westmont Hospitality Group. Westmont is one of the world’s largest privately held hospitality companies with over 500 hotels worldwide.
Media Contact: Stephanie Fung, 604-928-7356, sfung@local40union.com, or Michelle Travis, mtravis@unitehere.org, 778-960-9785
###
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.
PRESS RELEASE: Hilton Metrotown Files 72-hour Lockout Notice; Burnaby Mayor, Unions, Community Groups Throw Support to Hotel Workers
Vancouver, BC – Today, UNITE HERE Local 40 held a press conference with Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley, BC Teachers Federation President, Teri Mooring, and other labour and community leaders to blast Hilton Metrotown for issuing 72-hour lockout notice this morning and recently terminating almost 100 long-term workers.
Hilton Metrotown could lockout workers as early as Friday, April 9. The lockout threat comes after several union customers, BC Teachers Federation, BCGEU, HEU, MoveUP, and PSAC-BC, announced they will not patronize the hotel until management commits to return workers, most of whom are women and people of colour, to their jobs as business recovers. Workers have been on partial strike since February 2021.
Hilton Metrotown is leading the industry-wide attack on BC’s hotel workers. Mass firings are being used as an extortion tactic to strip away economic security for workers. This prompted hotel workers to launch the “Unequal Women” campaign to draw attention to Hilton Metrotown and other hotels that refuse to commit to bring back their workers as the industry recovers. Many hotels are trying to turn back the clock on working conditions that disproportionately impact women and racialized workers.
In addition to Mayor Hurley and Ms. Mooring, Hilton Metrotown workers were joined by leaders of BCGEU, HEU, ATU, Single Mothers Alliance BC, Metro Vancouver Alliance, and Women Transforming Cities at today’s press conference.
Quotes:
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley:
“The backbone of Hilton Metrotown is the staff and the people who have worked to make it a special place. Hilton management needs to get back to the table, deal with the layoff and recall provisions of the contract, extend that until after the pandemic is over, and allow workers the dignity to return to their jobs. They’re long-term employees. They made a difference to this hotel. That’s why I’m here to show my support for all these workers, many of them personal friends, many of them residents of Burnaby.”
BCTF President Teri Mooring:
“It is disheartening that hotels such as Hilton Metrotown are seeking permanent concessions for a temporary situation that we’re in, which is the pandemic. [BCTF] has chosen to withdraw all of our business from the Hilton Metrotown until there is a fairly negotiated collective agreement and restoration of laid-off workers’ jobs and a right to recall has been secured. There should be no pandemic profiteering in this situation. This is not what we expect in BC. We expect all workers to be treated fairly and we call on Hilton Metrotown to do just that.”
Sophea Kong, former Hilton Metrotown Banquet Server, 13 years
“After 13 years, the Hilton Metrotown terminated me last month. The hotel was always like a family to me, so I didn’t see this coming. It’s unfair for the hotel to treat workers like this. I supported and raised my three sons on this job. My co-workers and I gave everything to our hotel over the years. Where is hotel management when we need them? The hotel should do the right thing and commit to bring us back.”
Baljinder Kahlon, former Hilton Senior Housekeeping Supervisor, 21 years
“I was part of the team that welcomed guests when the hotel opened in 1999. I’ve seen Hilton Metrotown go through two renovations and the Olympics. I am one of the many workers terminated last week. After our years of service, this is the kind of treatment we receive? That’s not acceptable. On behalf of all Hilton Metrotown workers, we deserve to return to our jobs when business comes back because we’re the ones who made the hotel successful. In a time like this, Hilton should value their long-term staff by protecting our jobs, not firing us.”
To view today’s recording of the press conference, go to: https://www.facebook.com/129648666837/videos/468755844323502
CONTACT: Stephanie Fung, sfung@local40union.com, 604-928-7356; or Michelle Travis, mtravis@unitehere.org, 778-960-9785
###
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.
MEDIA ADVISORY: UNITE HERE Local 40 to Hold Press Conference to Address Hilton Vancouver Metrotown’s Lockout Threat; Burnaby Mayor to Join in Support of Fired Hotel Workers
UNITE HERE Local 40 will host a press conference today to address Hilton Vancouver Metrotown’s 72-hour lockout notice which was served this morning. Last week, the hotel terminated 22 long-term workers — bringing total job losses to nearly 100. Workers have been on partial strike since February 2021. Several large union customers, BC Teachers Federation, BCGEU, HEU, MoveUP, and PSAC BC, have vowed they will not patronize the hotel until they commit to return workers, most of whom are women and people of colour, to their jobs as business recovers. Hilton is leading the industry-wide attack on hotel workers in the province by attempting to roll back economic gains made by workers over the years and replacing them with cheaper hires.
WHO: Hilton Metrotown workers and community allies, including Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley, and representatives from BCGEU, Single Mothers Alliance BC, Metro Vancouver Alliance, and Women Transforming Cities.
WHEN: Tuesday, April 6, 2021
TIME: 11 AM Pacific Time
WHERE: Via Zoom; Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_J3FxcrzNSXqds1jM0waFCQ
CONTACT: Stephanie Fung, sfung@local40union.com, 604-928-7356; or Michelle Travis, mtravis@unitehere.org, 778-960-9785
###
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.
Press Release: Big Union Customers Vow Not to Patronize Hilton Vancouver Metrotown
Vancouver, BC — A group of BC’s largest unions are pledging they will not patronize Hilton Vancouver Metrotown as long as the hotel refuses to guarantee its laid-off workers a right to return to their jobs. The BCTF, BCGEU, HEU, MoveUP, and PSAC-BC have declared they will not use the hotel or make future bookings there in response to the hotel’s mass pandemic firings of long-term workers.
Hilton Vancouver Metrotown has fired 90 long-term workers — most of whom are women and people of colour — without notice or cause. Workers recently launched the BC Unequal Women campaign to draw attention to the impact of pandemic firings on the hotel industry’s predominantly female workforce.
The five unions delivered the message to hotel management during the workers’ latest bargaining session. Unions are regular customers of this Hilton and account for a significant portion of its customer base. They typically book events far in advance and account for a steady stream of revenue for hotels looking to ramp up business when COVID-related travel restrictions are lifted.
Last month, Hilton Metrotown workers overwhelmingly voted in favour of a strike over the firings and began limited strike action. Workers are urging all customers to book elsewhere until the hotel agrees to return workers to their jobs as the economy restarts.
Quotes:
Teri Mooring, President, BCTF:
“The BC Teachers’ Federation and our 47,000 members stand in solidarity with UNITE HERE! Local 40 members. Consequently, we have decided to withdraw all Federation business from the Hilton Metrotown Hotel until workers, including those laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic, are guaranteed recall rights and have achieved a fairly negotiated collective agreement. We have no interest in doing business with a corporation that appears to be attempting to use the pandemic to blatantly disregard the rights of unionized employees, who are primarily women and people of colour. Our hope is that our collective action sends a strong message to the Hilton Metrotown.”
Stephanie Smith, President, BCGEU:
“The BCGEU will refuse to book at the Hilton Metrotown as long as they use the pandemic as an excuse to eliminate the jobs of long-term staff, primarily women and persons of colour. On behalf of our more than 80,000 members, we stand shoulder to shoulder with hotel workers as they stand up to this attack on their livelihoods. We will direct all future bookings to hotels that commit to return workers to their jobs as tourism returns.”
Betty Valenzuela, Financial Secretary, Hospital Employees’ Union:
“These are difficult times for workers and businesses in many parts of the economy – and the impact on hotel workers has been particularly devastating. But things will get better, and we would have expected that the Hilton Metrotown would plan to return these workers to their jobs once business picks up. I’m disappointed to learn that this is not the case. We value our relationship with the Hilton Metrotown Hotel, but I want to be clear that we will withhold future bookings in the face of unjust treatment of these workers.”
Lori Mayhew, Secretary-Treasurer, MoveUP:
“This pandemic has reminded us how important it is to stick together. MoveUP is supporting the workers at the Hilton Metrotown who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. If the Hilton Metrotown can’t respect their workers and guarantee their rights to return to their jobs, then we will take our business elsewhere.”
Jamey Mills, Regional Executive Vice-President of PSAC-BC:
“Our union has been a customer of the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown for many years. Our position is clear, we will not use the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, or consider future bookings at the hotel, until all workers laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic are guaranteed a right to return to their jobs once business returns.”
Media Contacts: Stephanie Fung, sfung@local40union.com, 604-928-7356; or Michelle Travis, mtravis@unitehere.org, 778-960-9785
###
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.
PRESS RELEASE: Pan Pacific Vancouver Workers Question Hotel Over Expiring COVID-19 Layoff Extensions: Are You Firing More of Us as Recovery Nears?
Vancouver, BC – Today, laid-off Pan Pacific Vancouver workers held a protest urging the hotel to stop a fourth round of job cuts. Over 200 Pan Pacific laid-off workers remain uncertain about their future at the hotel. The hotel applied for a variance of B.C.’s temporary layoff provisions for only 16 workers, and their 13-week period is nearing a close. The Ministry of Labour has told workers they could soon be at risk of termination. Those affected by the expiring variance are just a few of the more than 200 workers who want to know why the hotel is leaving them in the dark.
After three rounds of mass firings, Pan Pacific applied for a variance to extend BC’s temporary layoff provisions to cover just 16 out of the more than 200 remaining laid off workers. However, laid-off workers have sought answers about their expiring variance and why the hotel chose not to apply on behalf of all its laid-off staff. Instead, the hotel has fired multiple groups of workers, many of whom are women of colour.
For months, the hotel has failed to inform workers or their union, UNITE HERE Local 40, of their current status. The Union sent a letter to Pan Pacific last week requesting information about their plans for remaining workers. Pan Pacific responded today to confirm that they sought variances for only 16 workers.
This comes after Pan Pacific fired approximately 100 long-term laid-off workers, without cause, in the middle of the pandemic. The hotel also urged workers to sign away their full-time status and their severance rights – then fired some of them anyway. A class action lawsuit has been filed against the hotel on behalf of fired workers. Now the future of more than 200 Pan Pacific workers remains uncertain.
Rosario Luft, a public area attendant who has dedicated 27 years serving customers at Pan Pacific Vancouver, is worried she will be fired this week: “I’m a single mom and raised my son on this job. Pan Pacific isn’t telling me anything. So many of my co-workers have been fired already. After all my years of service and hard work, is the hotel planning to fire and replace me too?”
Zailda Chan, President of UNITE HERE Local 40, said: “Pan Pacific workers – many of them women who have worked here for nearly 30 years – deserve an answer. Does Pan Pacific plan to fire more workers? We won’t let this hotel get away with treating workers like they are disposable. Thousands of hotel workers – predominantly women – are losing their jobs in this industry. They are demanding hotels commit to bring them back when the industry recovers.”
UNITE HERE Local 40 launched the Unequal Women campaign this month to spotlight hotels, like Pan Pacific Vancouver, who use the pandemic to eliminate jobs. Hotels across the province are refusing to commit to bring back those who clean hotel rooms, cook meals, and serve guests as the industry recovers.
Pan Pacific Vancouver is owned by an affiliate of Westmont Hospitality Group, the world’s largest privately-owned hotel group.
Media Contacts: Stephanie Fung, sfung@local40union.com, 604-928-7356; or Michelle Travis, mtravis@unitehere.org, 778-960-9785
###
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.