New op-ed on worker exclusions from minimum employment standards

As it now stands, the Employment Standards Act and Regulation are so replete with exceptions, exclusions and special rules that the majority of workers don’t have full protection of the Act.

SunMedia

David Fairey, Co-Chair of the BC Employment Standards Coalition, published an op-ed in The Vancouver Sun on 23 April. He underscores that because of a wide array of loopholes, only a minority of workers in BC receive full protections under the BC Employment Standards Act. Further, Fairey calls on Labour Minister Harry Bains, “to establish an independent commission for the review of all regulatory exclusions and variances.”

https://vancouversun.com/opinion/david-fairey-time-for-minister-of-labour-to-act-on-worker-exclusions-from-minimum-employment-standards

Tell the BC gov’t that minimum wage for all workers should be $15 per hour

Photo of woman holding Fight for 15 sign outside of Walmart Supercentre

Photo: Global Research

 Now is your chance to tell the provincial government that the minimum wage for all workers should be $15 per hour – NOW. Please spread the word by sharing this poster!

The NDP provincial government has appointed an independent Fair Wages Commission to advise the government on when and how the general minimum wage should be increased to $15 per hour.

Currently, the legislated general minimum wage is $11.35 per hour, but a number of occupations are excluded from the general minimum wage. This includes liquor servers for whom the minimum wage is $1.25 less at $10.10 per hour, and farm workers who hand harvest fruits, berries and vegetables for whom there is no hourly minimum wage, only minimum piece rates.

The Fair Wages Commission is inviting anyone interested in the minimum wage issue to share their views on the issue, either through a written submission by e-mail or in person at one of eight consultation meetings of the Commission to be held around BC from November 16th to December 7th.

Visit The Fair Wages Commission for details and directions.

You can request to make a submission at any one of the eight consultation meeting locations by e-mailing FWC@gov.bc.ca

The deadline for making written submissions by e-mail is December 7, 2017. Instructions for written submissions are here. Written submissions can be emailed to: FWC@gov.bc.c

Tell the Fair Wages Commission that all workers without exclusion should receive a $15 hourly minimum wage – NOW!

New article on restaurant industry donations to BC Liberal Party

Photo from Georgia Straight

In his recent op-ed, Gavin McGarrigle, B.C. area director for Unifor, describes some of the structural changes required to bring fairness for hospitality workers in BC. In particular, he highlights the inequity of BC’s liquor server minimum wage, the lack of regulations on tip-sharing, and sexualized dress codes throughout the restaurant industry.

Read the full op-ed here:  Fairness for Hospitality Workers is long overdue.

Workers’ Forums to Continue

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Unfair treatment of workers is all too common in British Columbia. Few people know their rights, and getting justice from a bad boss can be nearly impossible.

The BC Employment Standards Coalition is working for better employment laws and stronger enforcement for all workers. We want to make the issues about real people – and make the case for improvements. Read more and listen here to BC Employment Standards Coalition Co-Chair David Fairey on CBC Radio’s Early Edition speaking about the recent Workers’ Forums, and also on CBC’s Almanac (Oct 18). Fairey and researcher Kaitlyn Matulewicz also published this new op-ed in the Kelowna Capital News on the sexism and unfairness of BC’s liquor server minimum wage.

The BC Employment Standards Coalition held 6 workers’ forums in October 2016 to give workers an opportunity to share their stories of unfair treatment by employers and the difficulty of getting workplace justice. Many workers responded to the invitation to participate in these forums and give personal interviews. The Coalition will therefore continue to hold these forums to gather more stories in early 2017 in and around Metro Vancouver and Victoria. So stay tuned for more details.

In the meantime, if you have a story, enquiry or complaint that you would like to speak with us about you are welcome to contact any one of the following Coalition volunteers:

Murray Gore 604-671-9141 * David Fairey 604-430-636 * Joey Hartman 604-254-0703