COPE 378 members

cope 378 labour world24-7 workers find support fromBC Federation of LabourThe BC Federation of Labour has taken up the cause of those working in the 24-7industry gas stations, convenience stores and other retail outlets. Below is the latestnews release on the issues the predominantly young workers face.Despite a tragic death, warnings,and WCB inspections, the Maple Ridgegas station, where last year Grant DePatielost his life is still failing to abide by BC’sHealth and Safety laws, said BC Federationof Labour President Jim Sinclair.“Despite Grant’s death and despiteprevious inspections and orders, this employeris allowed to remain out of compliancewithout any penalty or meaningfulaction from WorkSafeBC,” Sinclair said.In the last week, the Federation visitedthe operation twice after 11:00 pm tolearn that not only is the station ignoringits late night pay before you pump policy,it’s also failing to ensure the doors arelocked after 11:00 pm, contradictory tothe employer’s health and safety plan.An investigation by WorkSafeBCinto Grant DePatie’s death determinedthat had they been enforced, “the latenight payment policies would have preventedthis fatality.”“The employer only filed a plan afterGrant’s death, but the plan means nothingif the employer isn’t following it,” Sinclairstated. “A worker’s death shouldn’t be theneeded wake up call to employers aboutthe importance of health and safety standards,but when even that’s not enough wehave a huge problem on our hands.“Employer self policing isn’t working,”said Sinclair. “Any employer who isfailing to protect nightshift workers employedin gas stations and conveniencestores, should face an immediate crackdownfrom WorkSafeBC.”In January, the BC Federation ofLabour conducted an informal survey ofgas stations operating in the Lower Mainland.Of the 12 stations surveyed, only oneappeared to have implemented a WorkingAlone Policy as outlined by WorkSafeBCregulations.“Our survey showed employershaven’t put in place the rules to protectworkers’ health and safety,” Sinclair stated.“That’s why we’re calling on the provincialgovernment and WorkSafeBC to ensurethat within 30 days, employers registertheir plan for working alone or risk beingshutdown for late-night operations.”While regulations currently requireemployers to have a plan in place forpeople working alone, there is no mechanismto ensure that this law is being followed.Sinclair has previously called onLabour Minister Mike de Jong and Solicitor-GeneralJohn Les to implementnew measures in response to continuedreports of violence and threats of physicalharm to nightshift workers employed inthe service industry.These measures include:• Requiring all employers open tothe public with 24-hour or late-nightoperating hours, to file, within 30 days,with the Workers’ Compensation Boardthe employers’ plans for employees workingalone. Any employer who fails to filesuch a plan should be barred from operatingin these hours;• Implementing regulations thatwould require customers to pay for gasolinebefore they pump, in an effort to preventviolent crimes occurring;• An education and awareness campaignfor both workers and employers, advisingthem of the risks, rights and obligationsin the service sector;• Greater enforcement by the WCBand Ministry of Labour, EmploymentStandards Branch, of current laws andstandards; and• Ensuring that at least two workersare on shift together during latenight hours.CLC honouredwith stampThree million Canadian Labour Congressstamps will be printed and circulated thisyear commemorating the 50th anniversary ofCanada’s largest labour organization. The stampdepicts the CLC logo with a list of accomplishmentsachieved in the organization’s 50 years ofexistence in the background. For more informationvisit www.clc-ctc.ca.COPE 378 thanksSinclairCOPE 378 presented BC Federationof Labour President Jim Sinclair witha gift to show appreciation for hishard work on behalf of the labourmovement and workers during thepast year. Sinclair addressed COPE378 members at the union’s recentShop Steward Training program heldat the Coast Hotel in downtown Vancouver.He is shown above on rightwith COPE 378 President Andy Ross.cope 378 Local Voice SUMMER 2006 Page 23