Urgent Update: Open Letter to Premier Horgan and the BCGEU from Liquor, Hospitality, Tourism, and Cannabis Industries
Dear ABLE BC members and industry colleagues,
While we are encouraged that both sides are back at the negotiation table, the BCGEU’s ongoing strike continues to cause serious damage to our industry. Enough is enough.
Today, a coalition of BC's most prominent liquor, hospitality, cannabis, and business associations released an open letter to the BC Government and the BCGEU demanding a quick end to the BCGEU strike, which is causing product shortages and serious damage to our industries.
We are also asking the BCGEU to pause strike action while negotiations are underway as an act of good faith.
We cannot afford for this strike to continue.
Please share this letter widely.
Click here to read the letter.
Click here to read the press release.
Click here to read the fact sheet.
Survey
While this is a step in the right direction, the strike action is continuing to cause serious financial harm to our industry. To help us quantify the impact this strike is having on your businesses and our industry, please fill out this survey. Your participation is critical to showing government and the public the true costs of the BCGEU’s strike.
Resources
We know that many businesses are facing the tough reality of reducing operating hours or temporarily closing down due to a lack of inventory. Our partners at go2HR have put together this FAQ about temporary layoffs.
Click here for more information on employer responsibilities for Employment Insurance (EI) and here for information on supplementing EI benefits. If you are temporarily laying off employees, ensure to use Code A (shortage of work) on their Record of Employment (ROE). Click here for more information.
ABLE BC members are also encouraged to reach out to the go2HR Consultant in their region for assistance and guidance when laying off employees.
Thompson Okanagan - Ginger Brunner
Vancouver, Coast & Mountains - Cindy Conti
Northern BC - Sarah Best
Kootenay Rockies - Sarah Moseley
Vancouver Island - Peter Charles
Cariboo Chilcotin - Christie Blaquiere
Stay tuned for more details on a webinar with go2HR next week.
Click here to read our BCGEU strike FAQs.
Click here to download stock out signage.
Click here for a list of local producers to order from.
ABLE BC in the Media
ABLE BC’s Executive Director, Jeff Guignard, and President, Yvan Charette, have been in the media frequently pushing our message out to the public.
Vancouver Sun: Bargaining talks to resume between BCGEU and government
CTV News Vancouver: BC union agrees to resume bargaining talks, job action to continue
980 CKNW: The Mike Smyth Show Aug 24
Maple Ridge News: Private liquor stores expect majorproduct shortages in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows
Daily Hive Vancouver: BC hospitality industry in crisis: "We cannot afford for this strike to continue"