Press Release: Local 40 Calls on BC Government to Extend Hospitality Workers’ Healthcare during COVID-19 Crisis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6, 2020

Vancouver, BC With thousands of hospitality workers just days away from losing their healthcare coverage, UNITE HERE Local 40 calls on BC’s provincial leaders to ensure that employers extend medical benefits in this time of unprecedented crisis.

At the end of April, Canada’s laid-off hospitality workers will lose their employer-provided healthcare coverage, but the $27 billion dollar COVID-19 federal response will do nothing to provide an emergency healthcare net for those who need it. The latest COVID-19 policies and relief coming from our government officials still leaves the health needs of hospitality workers in the lurch.

While we commend the very few hospitality employers who have committed to extending medical benefits for workers so far, none of the major hotels have ensured protection. We need our provincial leaders and employers to step up to the plate and not leave the real health care and economic needs of hospitality workers behind.

Zailda Chan, Local 40 President, says: “Hospitality workers across B.C. are among the hardest hit by this global pandemic. Almost 95% of hospitality workers in hotels, airports, food service, and remote camps have lost their jobs. During this public health crisis, the hospitality industry will be receiving government assistance and relief for employer health tax payments while simultaneously cutting workers off of their health coverage. That is why we are calling on the government and employers to ensure workers keep their health coverage when they need it most.”

Naden Abenes, a member of Local 40 who works at Hyatt Regency Vancouver, says, “Getting laid off was devastating, but losing my medical benefits is the tip of the iceberg. On top of making sure there’s food on the table every night, I’m worried sick about catching the virus because if I do I won’t be able to afford prescriptions.”

Media Contacts:
Michelle Travis, 778-960-9785, mtravis@unitehere.org
Stephanie Fung, 604-928-7356, sfung@local40union.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.

Federal COVID-19 Benefits Program Portal Opens Today: Here’s How to Apply

Today is the beginning of sign ups for the $2000/month Canada Emergency Response Benefit! 

If you have already applied for EI after March 15th, you do NOT need to apply for this benefit.  If you have NOT applied for EI and your birthday is between January and March, you should apply today. If your birthday is April to June, please apply tomorrow. If your birthday is July to September, please apply on Wednesday. If your birthday is October to December please apply on Thursday. Apply here!

Applicants who set up direct deposit are expected to receive a first payment within three to five days. Those who use mail should receive a first payment within 10 days. Payment is $2,000 a month for up to four months.

For more information, Canadians should go to canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/apply-for-cerb-with-cra.html#how

Applicants will need to confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria, and information that they provide during the application process may be verified later, the government said.

The benefit is available from March 15 to Oct. 3. The deadline for applications is Dec. 2.

Job Opportunities for Local 40 Members!

April 6

Job opportunities with Compass Group in the lower mainland and on the island. Cleaning jobs at health care facilities available at over $20/hour. Email updates@local40union.com to be contacted by a recruiter.


March 21

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.

Casual Employees needed at the following locations: Vancouver Metro Area, Squamish, Comox, Campbell River, Whistler, Saanich, Victoria, Nanaimo, Sechelt, Powell River.

Pay Rates vary slightly but start at $17.10 per hour for approximately 40 hours per week and possibly Overtime.

Compass will continue to pay for your Local 40 Health Care Benefits.

You will become a member of HEU and pay Union Dues equal to 2.1% of monthly earnings plus a $5 Initiation Fee.

Compass will provide TRAINING so that you are able to perform your duties safely.

If you are interested in pursuing these job opportunities, please click here.

UNITE HERE! Canada Responds to COVID-19 Crisis

On March 30, 2020, UNITE HERE leadership from across Canada held a tele-press conference to speak on the unprecedented economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis on workers nationwide. Listen to a complete recording of the conference. For press coverage, see below:

Canadian PressHospitality workers ‘hit first and hit hardest’ says union seeking more support

CTV Vancouver (with video) – Hospitality workers call for financial support in face of mass layoffs

CBC – Hospitality workers’ union says 90% of members have lost their jobs in past 2 weeks

News1130 – BC hospitality workers’ union calls government wage subsidy approach a ‘bailout for businesses’

CTV Toronto Nearly 90% of hospitality workers will lose jobs because of covid-19 pandemic, union predicts

Global News – COVID-19: Hospitality union offers help as hotels considered as makeshift hospitals

Victoria News – Canadian COVID-19 round-up: Air Canada cuts 15,000 jobs, 90% of flights

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TELE-PRESS CONFERENCE (for Monday, March 30)

RSVP: https://forms.gle/oLF7jfgZyDVfQ5Ls7

Hospitality workers’ union UNITE HERE to host tele-press conference on impact of COVID-19 on industry’s frontline workers in Canada

WHAT: Tele-press conference with UNITE HERE Canada union leadership to discuss the unprecedented economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis on workers nationwide in industries as diverse as hotels, stadiums, airlines and food service. With mortgages, utilities and rent coming due April 1, UNITE HERE Canada calls on public officials to take immediate action to ensure that hospitality workers, like all Canadian workers, can continue to live and pay their bills, and that those still working are recognized as essential employees.

WHO:
• Ian Robb, UNITE HERE Local 47 President and UNITE HERE Canadian Director
• Zailda Chan, UNITE HERE Local 40 President, Vancouver
• Guled Warsame, UNITE HERE Local 75 President, Toronto
• Kevin Porter, UNITE HERE Local 272 President, Ottawa

WHEN: Monday, March 30 at 11:30am ET / 8:30am PT

WHERE: Media must RSVP for call-in information. RSVP here: https://forms.gle/oLF7jfgZyDVfQ5Ls7

WHY: UNITE HERE represents over 18,000 hotel and hospitality workers across six locals in Canada. Hospitality workers have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis from day one.  Their work – cleaning rooms and public places, cooking and serving food, welcoming guests, carrying bags – puts them in daily contact with the public and in areas with very high risk of viral transmission.

Their workplaces – hotels, casinos, airports, arenas, universities, schools and remote resource camps – are among the first and worst hit by closures and layoffs. The Hotel Association of Canada estimates that 80 to 90 percent of the nation’s hotel industry will close this year. That means 200,000 to 250,000 hotel workers are losing jobs, the majority of them women, single parents, immigrants and people of color.

UNITE HERE Canada leadership will provide updates on the industry, call for immediate solutions, and take questions.

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UNITE HERE is a labor union that represents over 300,000 members working in the hotel, gaming, food service, manufacturing, textile, distribution, laundry, transportation, and airport industries in North America. UNITE HERE represents over 18,000 hotel and hospitality workers across six locals in Canada.