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Worker Solidarity Network

Rights

Worker Rights During COVID-19

We’ve put together a guide to your rights as a worker during the COVID-19 pandemic. We know this is a lot of information and it’s challenging for everyone. If you could use back-up, contact us for help! Please note that each individual situation is unique. Some of this information is changing and we will keep this page updated with the latest info as frequently as possible. The last update was…
Worker Solidarity Network
March 18, 2020
Rights

Your Rights as a Worker in BC

Are you or someone you know being exploited by an employer? Have you been fired, suspended, or let go? Are you missing overtime pay or having your tips stolen? In many instances, employers don’t understand or follow the laws that protect workers in BC. Employers in BC are required (at minimum) to respect a very basic level of rights and to adhere to certain laws. Most of these are set…
Worker Solidarity Network
October 1, 2019
Press Release

Victory! BC Employers Can No Longer Steal Tips From Their Staff

VICTORIA, BC - After years of raising awareness about the prevalence of “tip theft” in BC, Retail Action Network is celebrating a victory for workers across the province. The BC Government today announced legislation to ensure that a worker’s gratuities are protected under the Employment Standards Act. Tip theft has become a common occurrence in BC, and takes place in small businesses as well as corporate franchises. While it is…
Worker Solidarity Network
April 29, 2019
OpinionPress Release

Our Proposed Legislation for the BC Government

Tips or Gratuities – Model Legislation Proposals Retail Action Network, in collaboration with the Employment Standards Coalition, are calling on the BC Government to introduce legislation that will protect tips for workers. Current Legislation: The only reference to employee gratuities in the Employment Standards Act is under Part 3 - Wages, Special Clothing and Records in Section 21 regarding deductions not permitted from employee's wages: (2) An employer must not…
Worker Solidarity Network
April 16, 2019
Rights

Want to Unionise Your Workplace?

Want to Unionise Your Workplace? Had enough of your boss pushing you and your coworkers around? Feel like you should be treated with dignity and respect, but instead you’re getting on-call shifts or shorted on your pay cheque? Tired of being harrassed by customers and told to put up with it? One of the best ways to make longlasting and secure changes to your workplace is to unionise your place…
Worker Solidarity Network
March 1, 2017
Opinion

Starbucks’ Pledges to Hire 10,000 Refugees

Starbucks has received much praise for their commitment to hire 10,000 refugees as a response to Donald Trump’s U.S. Immigration Ban. Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz demonstrated his opposition to Trump’s actions in a passionate open letter, and pledged to hire refugees that have served with the U.S. military. Given the immense economic, cultural, and political influence of franchises like Starbucks, their role in swaying public discourse and resisting white supremacy…
Worker Solidarity Network
February 5, 2017
Opinion

Workers’ Story Forums in Victoria

On Wednesday, January 11th, the BC Employment Standards Coalition, in collaboration with the Victoria Retail Action Network, will bring its workers’ story forums to Victoria. These bad job story forums began in Vancouver in October last year when a series of six all-day open forms were held at various locations throughout metro Vancouver. At these forums workers are given the opportunity to talk about their bad job experiences to demonstrate…
Worker Solidarity Network
January 5, 2017
Opinion

Buy Nothing Day and Worker Solidarity

November 25th, 2016 is an international day of protest against consumerism known as “Buy Nothing Day”. The event was first celebrated in 1992, and was popularized by Vancouver-based artist Ted Dave. Since then, it has grown to include celebrations and protests in more than 65 nations. Buy Nothing Day deliberately coincides with “Black Friday”, a notorious day of sales which began in the United States but now occurs in other…
Worker Solidarity Network
November 24, 2016
Worker Stories

Grocery Clerk Demands Apology From Market On Yates Owner

J.L. reached out to the Retail Action Network shortly after being fired by the Market On Yates management without cause. After 2 years of working there, Jacob was put on notice for calling in sick for anxiety. Help us get an apology from the Market On Yates management, and to change policy so that this doesn't happen again. Please read the details here, as told to us by J.L.: Dear…
Worker Solidarity Network
November 22, 2016
Worker Stories

Server Demands Apology from Swans Brewpub Management

K.J. reached out to the Retail Action Network shortly after an incident that occurred at Swans Brewpub. K.J. let us know that she had been intimidated and bullied by a couple of the managers; we decided to help her out. Help K.J. get an apology from the Swans Brewpub management, and to introduce policy against harassment and intimidation. Swans is owned by the University of Victoria. Please read the details…
Worker Solidarity Network
September 13, 2016