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Press Release

Press Release

Rally recalls working class and revolutionary roots of International Working Women’s Day

BURNABY, B.C. – Members of Vancouver-based grassroots collectives gathered at Burnaby Civic Square on Saturday March 11th to commemorate the revolutionary working class origins and the international actions of International Working Women’s Day (IWWD). Organizations present included Anakbayan BC, Defund 604 Network, Gabriela BC, Migrante BC, Samidoun Vancouver, Sulong UBC, the Worker Solidarity Network, and Unite Here Local 40. Speakers highlighted the international struggles of working women and gender nonconforming…
Jiyoon
March 28, 2023
Press Release

Workers’ rights advocates and Santa Claus hand out mock cheques in front of the ESB to call out underfunding

Nov. 25, 2022 VICTORIA, B.C. – Members of the BC workers advocacy group, the Worker Solidarity Network and a person dressed as Santa Claus will assemble in front of the BC Employment Standards Branch (ESB) office on 880 Douglas Street on Friday morning at 11 AM, offering mock cheques to passers-by to call attention to the lack of funding given to the Branch by the BC government.  This demonstration follows…
Jiyoon
November 25, 2022
Press Release

BC Workers Organization Calls Out Whistler’s Brew Creek Centre For Thousands in Tips Collected But Never Shared With Employees

March 29, 2022 MEDIA  RELEASE: PDF version here. VICTORIA, B.C. (Territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples) – Workers across the province are now engaged in an ongoing campaign for tip-theft justice, calling on the Brew Creek Centre (BCC) for the immediate restoration of thousands in withheld ‘gratuity’ profits collected by an automatic 18% bill charge, between the dates of May, 2019 to July, 2020. The Worker Solidarity Network engaged…
Jiyoon
March 30, 2022
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…
Jiyoon
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…
Jiyoon
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…
Jiyoon
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…
Jiyoon
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…
Jiyoon
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…
Jiyoon
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