Hospitality Industry requests intervention of Job Protection Commissioner

Vancouver, February 9, 2000 – Faced with mounting job losses and dramatically reduced revenues since the smoking ban took effect on January 1st, the Coalition of Hospitality Organizations appealed to BC’s Job Protection Commissioner to intervene and mediate a ventilation solution with the WCB, the BC government and affected businesses.

In a letter sent today to Eric van Soeren, BC’s Job Protection Commissioner, the President of the BC & Yukon Hotel Association, Rick Boyd, said "Our industry is in crisis. Over 575 jobs have already been lost and 4 businesses have been forced to close their doors. 70% of those laid off are women, many with young families. This would never have happened if the WCB had adopted a reasonable approach to looking at ventilation solutions" .

Dave Crown, Vice President of the Liquor Licensees & Retailers Association, a co-signator to the letter stated "Ventilation solutions are in place in over 6,000 establishments around the world and have been proven to be successful. The blatant disregard for job and revenue losses resulting from the WCB’s Smoking Ban is causing economic hardship on this industry and many smaller communities. A solution has to be found in order to stop the job losses, create a healthy work place for workers and help restore some security into the hospitality industry.

The letter from the Hospitality Coalition specifically requested that the Job Protection Commissioner "mediate a solutions-oriented discussion between the Government of BC, the Workers Compensation Board and the Hospitality Industry regarding the effects of the WCB ETS regulations, potential ventilation solutions and unreasonable interpretations of the regulations by WCB officials."

The Coalition of Hospitality Organizations is a group of affected industry organizations, injured workers, and individuals that support a ventilation solution.

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For more information:

Rick Boyd Dave Crown

President, BCYHA Liquor Licensees & Retailers

604.528.7353 604.240.4866