Category

Press Release

Press Release

With 5 Paid Sick Days Announced for BC, Concerns Remain Around Restrictions for Precarious Workers

MEDIA RELEASE November 24, 2021 VICTORIA, B.C. (Territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples) – Today BC’s Labour Minister announced that beginning in January, the Province will legislate 5 permanent paid sick days (half of the Federal Government’s 10-day commitment for federally-regulated sectors) for employees  safeguarded by BC’s Employment Standards Act.“While the introduction of 5 paid sick days will impact the lives of many workers, a clear and historical leadership…
Anna
November 24, 2021
Press Release

Province Releases Options For Paid Sick Leave, Workers Steadfast in Calling for (at Least) 10 Days

Sept  23, 2021 VICTORIA, B.C. – In preparation for January's paid sick leave legislation, the B.C. government wrapped up its public survey last week, launching into Phase Two of its engagement process with yesterday’s release of an Options Paper containing the proposed models of: 3, 5, or 10 days. Members of the WSN continue to emphasize that anything less than 10 days would be insufficient and lead to major impacts…
Anna
September 22, 2021
Press Release

Provided with Three COVID-19 Paid Sick Days, Workers Are Promised Permanent Legislation…Next Year

May 11, 2021 MEDIA  RELEASE: Pdf version here.VANCOUVER, B.C. – The Worker Solidarity Network (WSN) welcomes the Province’s commitment to provide permanent paid sick leave for all employees in B.C. beginning January 1,  2022. In the meantime, a woeful three days may as well be accompanied by a sad trombone sound for workers that have been waiting a long time for a more progressive number.“Today’s announcement was a lost opportunity…
Anna
May 11, 2021
Press Release

Workers Present Giant ‘Invoice’ for Paid Sick Days

April 20, 2021 MEDIA  ADVISORY Workers Present Giant ‘Invoice’ to Premier for Income Lost Due to Delays in Legislating Paid Sick Leave VICTORIA, B.C. – Tuesday at noon, on the same day as the Provincial budget announcement, members of The Worker Solidarity Network (WSN) will be delivering a giant satirical ‘invoice’ to the doorstep of the B.C. Legislature Building. The invoice lists totals that were submitted directly from workers in…
Anna
April 19, 2021
Press Release

Workers Advocacy Group Launches Job Precarity Survey

March 30, 2021 MEDIA RELEASE VANCOUVER, B.C. –- With the recent announcement to shut down indoor dining until April 19th, restaurant workers are concerned more than ever about their income security, and not having any paid sick days for a safety net. Details on government financial support remains to be seen, and people are anxious. To pass the microphone to workers, the Worker Solidarity Network (WSN) has created an online…
Anna
March 30, 2021
Press Release

Press Release: BC’s Retail Action Network Welcomes Mandatory Mask Announcement

November 20, 2020 MEDIA RELEASE VICTORIA, B.C. –  BC labour rights advocacy organization The Retail Action Network welcomes the news that mask-wearing has finally been made mandatory inside of BC’s retail stores, grocery stores, cafes and public areas. While the industry awaits specifics on how these regulations may be effectively enforced, the network of workers continues to call for more; the assurance of paid sick days for all employees covered…
Anna
November 20, 2020
Press Release

Press Release: New Report Recommends Permanent Paid Sick Leave Legislation

August 19, 2020 MEDIA RELEASE VANCOUVER, B.C. –  Low-wage occupations commonly include a heightened risk of exposure to COVID-19 due to the public nature of the position. At the same time, precarious and non-unionized workers are compelled, and in many cases expected, to work regardless of their health or condition. The likelihood of termination and being unable to afford to miss work, combined with an absence of paid sick leave…
Emily Thiessen
August 21, 2020
Press Release

Press Release: RAN Prescribes a Week of Action for Paid Sick Days in BC

July 14, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Retail Action Network Prescribes a Week of Action for Paid Sick Days in BC VICTORIA, B.C. – Now in Phase 3 of BC’s Restart Plan, economic circumstances are increasingly bleak for workers that are now being confronted with vague or missing labour protections. The Retail Action Network (RAN), a labour rights advocacy group led by non-unionized retail and hospitality workers in BC, is…
Emily Thiessen
July 14, 2020
Press ReleaseWorker Stories

Labour activists disrupt grocery store to support staff demanding hazard pay

Supporters cheer for Lifestyle Markets workers. Photo by Mike Graeme FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 16th, 2020 VICTORIA, B.C. - Twenty customers, supporters, and labour activists descended upon  Lifestyle Markets grocery store Thursday afternoon in a social distancing action to demand that the employer of Lifestyles Markets introduce hazard pay during the COVID pandemic. Activists interrupted regular business by banging pots and pans in an ode to the store’s essential service workers.…
Emily Thiessen
April 16, 2020
Press Release

Press Release: Retail Action Network demands paid sick days

March 27, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Retail Action Network Demands Paid Sick Days in BC VICTORIA, B.C. – This week, the BC government failed workers by announcing that workers in BC would not have paid sick days enshrined in the Employment Standards Act. The Retail Action Network (RAN), a BC workers advocacy group, is calling on the BC NDP to correct their course with an amendment that will meaningfully address…
Emily Thiessen
March 27, 2020