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Press Release

The latest updates and press releases from the Retail Action Network..

Press ReleaseWorker Stories

Labour activists disrupt grocery store to support staff demanding hazard pay

Supporters cheer for Lifestyle Markets workers. Photo by Mike Graeme FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 16th, 2020 VICTORIA, B.C. - Twenty customers, supporters, and labour activists descended upon  Lifestyle Markets grocery store Thursday afternoon in a social distancing action to demand that the employer of Lifestyles Markets introduce hazard pay during the COVID pandemic. Activists interrupted regular business by banging pots and pans in an ode to the store’s essential service workers.…
Emily Thiessen
April 16, 2020
Press Release

Press Release: Retail Action Network demands paid sick days

March 27, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Retail Action Network Demands Paid Sick Days in BC VICTORIA, B.C. – This week, the BC government failed workers by announcing that workers in BC would not have paid sick days enshrined in the Employment Standards Act. The Retail Action Network (RAN), a BC workers advocacy group, is calling on the BC NDP to correct their course with an amendment that will meaningfully address…
Emily Thiessen
March 27, 2020
Press ReleaseProtect Our Tips

Victory! BC Employers Can No Longer Steal Tips From Their Staff

VICTORIA, BC - After years of raising awareness about the prevalence of “tip theft” in BC, Retail Action Network is celebrating a victory for workers across the province. The BC Government today announced legislation to ensure that a worker’s gratuities are protected under the Employment Standards Act. Tip theft has become a common occurrence in BC, and takes place in small businesses as well as corporate franchises. While it is…
Retail Action Network
April 29, 2019
OpinionPress ReleaseProtect Our Tips

Our Proposed Legislation for the BC Government

Tips or Gratuities – Model Legislation Proposals Retail Action Network, in collaboration with the Employment Standards Coalition, are calling on the BC Government to introduce legislation that will protect tips for workers. Current Legislation: The only reference to employee gratuities in the Employment Standards Act is under Part 3 - Wages, Special Clothing and Records in Section 21 regarding deductions not permitted from employee's wages: (2) An employer must not…
Retail Action Network
April 16, 2019
Press ReleaseProtect Our TipsRights

Off the Menu: Province Abolishes Sexist Liquor Server Wage

VICTORIA, BC - As the province moves towards a $15 minimum wage, the BC NDP government announced today that they will slowly close the gap between the lower liquor server’s wage and the provincial minimum wage. The liquor server’s minimum wage has been criticized by restaurant workers across the province as a policy that reinforces gender pay inequity while also enabling sexual harassment and abuse from customers. The liquor server…
Retail Action Network
April 21, 2018
Press Release

1 Year Anniversary

Come celebrate our anniversary with us, and help us to shape another year of organising with our network of retail, hospitality, and food service workers! We'd love to see you at our 1 year anniversary BBQ. This month marks the 1 year anniversary of the Retail Action Network. Our organisation has come a very long way over this past year. We've connected with so many workers and activists, and are…
Retail Action Network
August 7, 2016
Press Release

Meeting the Ministry

This month, organisers with the Retail Action Network met with the BC Ministry that is responsible for making changes to the Employment Standards Act. This meeting was brought together by the Employment Standards Coalition which is made up of a broad range of organizations that are fighting for justice with those that are most at risk of being exploited in the workplace: migrant workers, domestic workers, working children and youth,…
Retail Action Network
June 20, 2016
Press Release

MayWorks 2016

MayWorks 2016 marked the first annual celebration in Victoria of culture, community, and arts, through the lens of working class struggle. This year was such an amazing success, and we are so grateful for everyone that made it out to attend. We are already looking forward to making next year bigger, better, and more diverse. This year would not be possible without the incredible contributions to the dozens of volunteers…
Retail Action Network
June 16, 2016
Press Release

Presenting Precariousness in Victoria

During the month of May, Retail Action Network organiser, Stefanie Hardman, spoke with the media about the report she spearheaded "Part-time, Poorly paid, Unprotected: Experiences of Precarious Work in Retail, Food Service, and Hospitality in Victoria, BC" which was released earlier in the month. This media attention provided an opportunity for the broader public to hear more about the experiences of precarious working conditions that workers in retail, food service, and…
Robyn Karina
June 8, 2016
Press Release

Part-time, Poorly Paid, and Unprotected

Spring 2016, VIPIRG (Vancouver Island Public Interest Research Group) has been working with the Retail Action Network on a community-based research project that documents the experiences of precarious work in Retail, Food Service, & Hospitality in Victoria, BC. In this research, our goal was to hear directly from workers in the retail, food service, and hospitality industries about the types of workplace conditions and issues they face. Until now, little…
Retail Action Network
May 26, 2016