Statement by Zailda Chan, UNITE HERE Local 40 President, regarding B.C.’s extension of temporary COVID-19 layoff provisions

“We are incredibly disappointed by the Government’s decision today to extend temporary layoffs and delay severance to help the business community without any protections for workers.  The government had to put 50,000 hotel workers out of work, but with no legal rights to get their jobs back.  Hotel workers are already being permanently terminated as a result of this pandemic.  A wave of terminations may come in September. This decision falls far short of what laid-off workers need to stay connected to their jobs.  The B.C. government needs to act and protect workers – not just businesses.”