Laid-off Richmond hotel workers are asking city council for a boycott of city business at the Pacific Gateway Hotel.
Kai Sharpe, an organizer with the hotel’s union, UNITE HERE local 40, will be speaking to city council on Monday asking the city not take part or hold any events at the hotel until the laid-off workers are reinstated and the labour dispute is resolved.
Sharpe is also asking the city to tell all staff and contractors that expenses incurred at the Pacific Gateway Hotel won’t be reimbursed.
The hotel was made into a quarantine centre in 2020, after which 143 employees were laid off.
They have been picketing the hotel for about a year.
The quarantine contract was terminated in January, however, with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) saying in a statement to the Richmond News, in reference to the layoffs, they were concerned about the hotel’s actions.
“…we have expressed our disappointment with Pacific Gateway and their treatment of their unionized workforce throughout these challenging times. The health and safety of Canadians remain our top priority,” said a PHAC spokesperson in a statement to the News.
- with files from Alan Campbell/Richmond News
