Dear Hotel Community,
BC Hotel Association (BCHA) represents British Columbia’s hotel industry, which comprises 1,250 hotels and 60,000 employees. The hotel community is made up of union and non-union properties; within the union properties, seven represent hotel employees. The province’s union properties total between 75 and 80, of which Unite Here Local 40 has 46.
We have been advised of an ongoing public statement that employees are losing their jobs. Without question, the priority of all hoteliers is to keep their workers employed; however, due to the global pandemic and corresponding lack of travel and convention business, some properties have closed and are unable to reopen for the foreseeable future. There is simply not enough business to rehire everyone.
Employees who have been laid off can apply for CERB, and the BCHA has worked hard to ensure the Temporary Layoff timeframe is extended to August 30; there is currently a joint application process to extend that layoff period through the Ministry of Labour portal. Last week, we hosted a well-attended webinar in partnership with the Ministry of Labour to clarify and support the application process.
BCHA has advocated on behalf of the industry to ensure jobs are protected and federal and provincial relief measures continue to support hospitality workers, and we will continue to do so as we move through the recovery phase. We are determined to make a longstanding contribution to families, communities and the economy, so we can all prosper once again.
In 2019, our industry experienced the most severe labour shortage on record with 23,000 unfilled hospitality jobs across BC. One year later, we are experiencing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.
The essence of our industry is its people, and the relationship between employee and employer is the sacred foundation. Our hotel community is globally recognized for excellence in service, and the value for each employee and success of each department is based on high-quality training, communication and teamwork. Since the COVID-19 crisis hit in March, our industry has come together admirably to support employees who were laid off due to closures. First, we advocated to waive the EI waiting period; then, we advocated for CEWS and CERB to ensure families could survive. We collaborated with educational institutions and partners to ensure our workforce stayed engaged and had the opportunity to continue growing professionally, so they can hit the ground running when it’s time to get back to work. Online training and webinars have kept our industry connected since March, and will continue to do so for the remainder of 2020.
There is a significant misunderstanding about our industry. People think hospitality work is “low skill, low pay employment” – but this could not be further from the truth. First, the expertise in every hotel department is specific and integrated with other departments, from computer systems to cleaning protocols, to maintenance systems and equipment, technology and finance. It takes a special person to work in our industry. We are proud, social and caring, and our employees and employers are partners in each other’s success.
Employers are not seeking to terminate longstanding members of their teams. Indeed, our industry is committed to working together to sustain our teams, industry and economic contributions – and we need to support each other, not undermine the essence of our industry. Our people, at all levels of employment, are the greatest asset we have. On behalf of our industry, I will ensure we continue working to protect our employees, employers and businesses well into the future. After all, we are the backbone of the provincial economy.
Ingrid Jarrett
President and CEO
British Columbia Hotel Association
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"We have ambassadors who have dedicated their lives to the business, with some being here over 30 years. They are not employees, they are family and its killing us not to be able to get everyone back. It’s just hard when volumes are so low in some areas of the business. The biggest hurdle is the catering side of the business where our 50 max size has left so many of the team unable to return. We want to get back to normal sooner than anyone." |
"Our employees are integral to the success of our business, providing the guest service our hotel is known for, and we have done everything we can to provide hours of work when available. We have also been 100% transparent on the business levels we have, the outlook of future business, and what that means for the availability of hours of work in the near future.
When the hotel had to temporarily close, we wanted to support our staff however we could during such a challenging and uncertain time, while ensuring their safety and well being. This included ongoing updates regarding the hotel, their benefits, as well as other services and programs provided locally and through the provincial and federal government. The property was also able to provide to our staff high quality prepared meals from our award-winning restaurant, at a significant discount, all through an online ordering and delivery process that ensured a safe contactless ordering and delivery experience.
When the hotel reopened, our goal was to bring as many staff back to work as possible, and were able to recall almost 100% of our team that was available to work."
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"COVID-19 has taken a significant toll on our operations. Our business and many of our colleagues have been adversely impacted. We stand with them full square during this difficult time and as we can, we will be welcoming each and every one of them back to the team as we resume some sense of normalcy. Their families are part of our family and while things may never be the same again, our commitment to our team will always be our priority." |
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Sitting in the Canadian Rockies, Golden B.C.is surrounded by six of Canada’s most stunning national parks; Yoho, Glacier, Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Mount Revelstoke.
Use Golden as your base from which to experience the spectacular scenery, iconic hiking trails, waterfalls, lakes and heritage sites of the national parks.
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Everything in Campbell River is connected in wild and wonderful ways, and with so much to offer, it’s hard to know where to start. With activities tailored to your interests, you’ll be able to explore like a local and discover the unique combination of experiences that make Campbell River, well…Campbell River. Welcome to the wild!
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As part of our education pillar, BCHA continues to offer new courses and webinars from our education partners. Through our education series, BCHA members and hospitality professionals may access tools for continued growth within the hospitality industry at a significantly reduced price. We encourage you to take this time to explore the courses below:
Kennedy Training Network
go2HR
Click here to sign up for any of the upcoming courses or webinars or learn more about all the education BCHA has to offer.
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