C-19 BULLETIN - August 21, 2020

CEO Message

My father was a blue-collar worker for virtually his entire career. Among his various jobs…he paved streets for the City of Vancouver; felled trees in the forestry sector; and drove truck for a steel manufacturer. As a labourer, he was also a proud, card carrying union man for most of his life and managed to support a family of six on a fairly modest but steady income.

Like my father, I worked in a union shop for a time. My wife paid union dues at one point in her career. Many of my extended family members and close friends still do.

I offer this context to point out that I have at least some level of knowledge on why unions exist and what they do on behalf of their members. I will also state for the record, I am not ‘anti-union’. If anything, I see a place for both sources of labour within the workplace. At the same time, I admit to being occasionally troubled by union tactics, specifically during a collective bargaining process.

You may be aware that one hospitality union is in the middle of negotiating a new collective agreement with a group of hotels and several independent properties and has initiated a public hunger strike (10am – 6pm daily) by nine of its members to try to force the province to implement regulation within the Labour Standards Act that would compel all businesses in the province to rehire laid-off workers within two years based on seniority rather than position. This approach is flawed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that businesses may not have the means to hire their full complement of staff back due to the consequences of the pandemic.

The union alleges that hotels are terminating or not rehiring long-time workers and instead hiring cheaper replacements to fill positions…an assertion that is untrue. This particular union also claims to represent 50,000 hospitality workers when the actual number of members they bargain for represents less than 10% of the total.

However, what really makes my blood boil is that they’re urging government not to provide any relief and recovery funds to help the beleaguered tourism and hospitality sector unless and until the aforementioned regulation is adopted by the Province.

There are two sides to every story and I’ve heard plenty from the union’s perspective through media reports. However, hospitality’s side of the story is getting lost amidst the hunger strike headlines and needs to be told so the public and politicians have all the facts.

If you’ll allow me…let’s start with the basic premise that hotels cannot operate without workers. To put it another way...employers need and value their employees and annually invest hundreds of millions of dollars in training, wages and benefits to retain their workforce. They neither want to nor can afford to lose employees, especially now. But as everyone knows, COVID-19 has meant many workers are sidelined for the time being but will likely return to work once the industry is on the path to recovery.

Secondly, the core issue is not about hotels replacing long-standing employees with cheaper labour (fyi – the BC Labour Code forbids this practice), but rather an opportunity to influence and leverage a labour friendly government to secure a new collective agreement for union members. The reality is they are asking government to create a regulation that is completely within the union’s power and purview to negotiate as a clause within collective bargaining. In other words, there is no need for government intervention. As an aside, recall language is included in all collective agreements in BC except some that belong to this union and they happen to be at the bargaining table at present.
 
Finally, to ask the Province not to provide tourism and hospitality businesses with a recovery package unless it enacts specific regulation, is totally self-serving and completely undermines the very industry they are dependent on for their own livelihood. Our entire tourism and hospitality sector has been working so hard to not only survive this crisis, but find ways to rebound and keep workers in good paying and steady jobs over the long-term. We can’t do that without government support to retain those very businesses that provide employment. And we certainly can’t afford further constraints on tourism operators through the regulation that the union has proposed. 

These tactics at the best of times are completely offside, let alone during a pandemic where so many operators cannot predict whether they’ll be open next month let alone next year.

I would suggest we stop this politically motivated nonsense and instead work together for the greater good of the entire industry. For our part, we’ll call out any rogue businesses with underhanded HR practices. For the union’s part, it’s time to get with the program and bargain in good faith to ensure the businesses their members work for continue to exist so there are jobs to go back to once travel resumes in earnest. In other words, don’t hold the recovery package hostage.

My father was an immigrant with a grade 8 education who worked extremely hard to make ends meet. Alongside his union colleagues, at times during his career he willingly walked the picket line for months in an effort to secure better pay and benefits from his employer. Even though strike pay was a fraction of daily wages, and lengthy walkouts resulted in financial setbacks for our family, my Dad believed in a fair, open and honest negotiating process (no matter how long it took) to achieve an outcome for the greater good of both parties, even if it cost him personally.

As a union man, my father would have never resorted to shameless theatrics and false accusations that compromised his ethics and jeopardized tens of thousands of jobs and businesses across an entire sector for the sake of his own personal gain. I wish others would do the same.

I suggest we all continue to focus on the urgent need for government support to keep businesses whole so that every tourism and hospitality worker can get on with the job of again welcoming and providing services to visitors when the time is right.

Walt Judas
CEO, TIABC
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Province Introduces New Measures to Enforce COVID-19 Public Safety

Police and other provincial enforcement officers are being given the ability to issue $2,000 violation tickets for owners or organizers contravening the provincial health officer’s (PHO) order on gatherings and events.

They will also be able to issue $200 violation tickets to individuals not following the direction of police or enforcement staff at events or who refuse to comply with requests to follow PHO orders or safe operating procedures, or respond with abusive behaviour.  
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Applications Open for CECRA Extension

Effective August 18th, businesses who have already submitted a Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) application for the period of April to June can now log back into the online portal and opt-in for an extension of either the month of July, or for July and August.

If you have not yet submitted an application for the period of April to June, when submitting an application you will have the option of opting-in for an extension of either the month of July, or July and August, at the same time. No additional documents are required to opt-in for an extension.

You will be asked to make certain confirmations and agree to certain terms and conditions.


Applications Open for Enhanced Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy

On August 17th, the Canada Revenue Agency opened applications for Period 5 (July 5 to August 1) of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) - the first period of the enhanced CEWS program.

In a release on Monday, Minister of National Revenue Diane Lebouthillier said the changes under the enhanced federal program include the following:

  • The extension of the CEWS, including redesigned program details, until November 21st.
  • Increased eligibility, meaning that all eligible employers who’ve experienced a revenue drop can now qualify for a base subsidy. The subsidy amount is based on the revenue drop.
  • Employers who are especially hard-hit can qualify for a top-up of up to 25%.
  • More certainty for employers that have already made business decisions for July and August, by ensuring they will not receive a subsidy rate lower than they would have under the previous rules.

Eligible employers can apply for Period 5 of the CEWS through My Business Account or through the CRA’s online application. Those who have registered their business payroll accounts for direct deposit can generally expect to receive subsidy payments within three to five business days.
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Research Updates

BC Public Perceptions: To monitor British Columbians' current views on travel and tourism, plus track travel and tourism behaviour intentions, Destination BC has commissioned bi-weekly waves of research. Read the Wave 7 report here.

Research Roundups: Destination BC is compiling research and articles each week related to the travel and tourism industry and COVID-19. You can find the latest report for the week beginning August 17, here.
TOTA Research Roundup

The August 21st Roundup Includes:

Thompson Okanagan Research Roundup
  • Measuring Canadian Travel Patterns – Thompson Okanagan
  • 2018 Thompson Okanagan Top Outdoor Activities


British Columbia Research Roundup
  • 2020 PRIZM Segment Highlight – Diverse and Determined
  • Measuring Canadian Travel Patterns – British Columbia
  • International Visitor Transactions in BC 2016-2019
  • HelloBC Signals and Sentiments
  • British Columbia Hotel Performance Indications
  • Destination Canada COVID-19 Resident Sentiment
  • Destination BC Resident vs Public Perceptions

International Research Roundup
  • Update on American Travel for the week of August 17
  • STR Report – COVID-19 Impact on Hotel Industry

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CCCTA Offers New Ideas Labs

As part of their continued efforts to evolve their support to industry and partners, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association (CCCTA) are joining forces with the Tourism Café to host a series of Ideas Labs.
 
CCCTA has heard that some people are ‘webinared out’ and so they are responding with something new and innovative. It’s called an Ideas Lab, and participation is by invitation only in this 45-minute, small group (maximum 15 people), online facilitated discussion. Each Ideas Lab will focus on ONE TOPIC to allow for a productive discussion, idea sharing and actionable outcomes. 
 
Review the summary sheets from past sessions:

Upcoming Session:
Tuesday, Sept 22 @ 2:00 pm PT
Staying True to Your Brand Experience While Creatively Adapting to COVID Protocols

Email: Kristi Denby at kristi@landwithoutlimits.com ASAP as it is first come first serve for CCCTA partners.
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BC Tourism Resiliency Network - Stories of Resilience
The BC Tourism Resiliency Network has launched a series called Stories of Resilience to profile tourism businesses in British Columbia who, in the face of adversity due to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, have been able to adapt and are on the road to recovery and long-term resiliency. The Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association (CCCTA) has shared some of their region's stories in the hopes that through these stories you might see yourself, your sector or your community, and find a shared connection that may inspire you or encourage you to participate in the tourism resiliency program. Check out CCCTA's first profiles here.

CCCTA is seeking more stories of resilience to share. If you have something to share, please contact Kristi Denby at kristi@landwithoutlimits.com.

Are you a tourism business who needs help to adapt, recover and work towards long-term resiliency? Please register for support through Tourism Resiliency Program at: tourismresiliency.ca

Proudly supported by:
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TOTA, Canadian Mental Health Association Kelowna, and Thoughtfull Offer Mental Health Support to Businesses

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has signed a formal agreement with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Kelowna & District branch (CMHA Kelowna) and Thoughtfull Workplace Wellness Strategies. As an extension to TOTA's industry resiliency efforts, planned collaborative initiatives aim to mitigate the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental well-being of tourism business operators and workers. 

CMHA Kelowna and Thoughtfull, a workplace consulting and training social enterprise run by CMHA Kelowna, represent a valuable resource for TOTA to relay knowledge and expertise in education, human resources, occupational health and safety, as well as crisis intervention to businesses in the tourism industry. Thoughtfull's workplace advisors will collaborate with TOTA to provide insights for campaigns and resources contributing to physical, mental, and financial resilience. 
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Mandatory Face Masks on Translink
and BC Ferries Begins August 24

Beginning Monday, August 24th, TransLink will require customers to wear non-medical masks or face
coverings while on board transit vehicles. Customers who are unable to wear face coverings due to an
underlying medical condition or disability will be exempt from this policy and won’t be asked to wear a
mask or face covering.

Learn more: www.translink.ca

Face masks will be mandatory on BC Ferries beginning next week
Beginning Monday, BC Ferries is requiring all passengers to wear non-medical masks or face-coverings at its terminals and while on board ferries to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In a statement, BC Ferries says the pandemic had a significant impact on its first quarter results, with net losses of $62 million during the three months that ended June 30, 2020 — a sharp contrast to net earnings of $12.2 million for the same period last year.
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Tourism in the News

BC Tourism: A So-So Summer for Some Regions, a Dire One for Others
The pandemic pain for BC's tourism industry is not spread evenly. Businesses that rely on BC tourists are doing so-so, those that rely on international travellers may not survive.

Whistler Small Business Owners Fear Uncertainty of Fall
With its patio seating in the summer, Brickworks, for example, can comfortably seat 70. But what happens when winter weather forces everyone inside. Factor in the annual flu season—which, in the midst of a global pandemic, will have every employee with the slightest sniffle staying home from work—and the uncertainty only grows.

No End in Sight
An Op-Ed in the Whistler's Pique Newsmagazine outlines the difficulties of being a resort community during a pandemic: In recent days, we have seen Tourism Whistler share its reimagined marketing strategy, the RMOW is taking a second look at festivals to see how they can work in this new world of physical distancing, and the Chamber has released its Moving Whistler Forward document to help its members (really, all of us) double down on how to stay resilient right now. It has been almost overwhelming to see the support Whistler has enjoyed this summer as a destination.

But make no mistake as we head into the shoulder season and an uncertain winter season, if our local leaders in tourism, government and business aren’t shoulder to shoulder with the community to get us through, we could be devastated.

Ski Industry Association Wants to Make Sure Resorts Get a Cut of Province’s Recovery Spending
CWSAA president and CEO Christopher Nicolson said the organization put forward a proposal to ensure the province doesn’t exclusively look to municipalities to spend the much-needed recovery money. He pointed out that many BC resorts manage similar services as municipalities—such as sewer and water, energy utilities, housing and fire support—and could benefit from the spending.

Next 6-12 Months Not the Time for Government to Hike Taxes
The first is to follow the physician’s advice and “do no harm.” In particular, the next 6-12 months is not a time for governments to be hiking taxes or fees or adding to the heavy regulatory burdens that companies doing business in B.C. already face. Second, the province should consider cutting the provincial sales tax (PST) to assist in bolstering the consumer spending that drives much of our economy.
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Sidney Hotel Transforms Land Into Vegetable Garden to Feed Those in Need

Les Tait has owned the Cedarwood Inn & Suites in Sidney for 45 years, usually planting and growing eye-catching flower displays every summer for his guests. His business is also usually operating at near full capacity in the summer. But, then again, 2020 is far from anything “usual.” Suffering his worst year in four decades, Tait decided to ditch the roses and tulips and try something else.

Despite his business down over 50% since March, the 68-year-old decided to focus on helping out his community rather than his own profit. Along with his son Steven and employee Rosie, Tait converted his land into a field of crops – growing everything from leaks to kale and purple beans. Everything he grows, he donates to the Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank.

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TIABC and the BC Hotel Association (BCHA) will be hosting a webinar and open forum to outline the key issues and provide a reality check on the tourism and hospitality industry, our key messages, and ways we can coordinate and work together towards recovery.

Wednesday September 2nd @ 1:00pm-2:00pm (PT)

The webinar will be 45 minutes in duration, with a 15 minute Q&A to follow.

Please complete the registration form and a Zoom link will be sent to you with meeting details the day prior to the webinar.
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BCHA, go2HR and ABLE BC Webinar

The BC Hotel Association (BCHA) will be hosting a webinar and open forum in collaboration with go2HR and BC’s Alliance of Beverage Licensees (ABLE BC) and will feature Phil Eastwood, a leading expert in workplace conflict related training.

Wednesday August 26th @ 1:00PM (PT)
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Small Business BC Webinar

During COVID-19, business owners have been looking at different ways to cut costs and become more efficient. What if it was possible to achieve this goal while helping to reduce transmission of COVID-19 at the same time?

Delivered by Sam Thomas, Principal and Kootenay Branch Manager of Prism Engineering, and Tiago Pereira, Energy Solutions Manager at FortisBC, attendees will learn practical steps for making the workplace safer, while also saving money in our “new normal.” We’ll also be covering tips for making your space cost-effective, COVID relief incentives for small biz and plumbing/environmental controls.

What Will I Learn?
Best practices in HVAC and safety during COVID-19 reopening
How to develop a pandemic response plan
Steps to prepare your business for a potential second wave
Identifying opportunities for increased energy efficiency in your business
Available rebates and energy saving resources from Fortis BC

Wednesday September 2nd @ 10:00am (PT)

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October 2

October 7

CCCTA/TOTA AGM & Conference
October 26-27

September 21-25

November 17-18
****NOTE: TIABC's C-19 Bulletin is now published every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Feel free to send us your ideas on what information would be valuable for TIABC to share through our COVID-19 Bulletin going forward. Drop us a line at info@tiabc.ca.