British Columbia Federation of Labour

B.C. Federation of Labour calls for immediate crackdown to protect nightshift workers

Vancouver—mdash;"Yesterday's death of a convenience store clerk in Manitoba and a Victoria incident in which an attendant was robbed by an assailant armed with a blood-filled syringe, underline the need for immediate action to protect nightshift workers who are working alone," says B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair.

"We've been calling for new regulations and a crackdown by the Workers Compensation Board," Sinclair said. "What will it take for the government to react?"

Less than a month ago a young worker, Brigitte Serre, was murdered while working the night shift alone at a Quebec gas station. Last spring, a young worker, Grant DePatie was killed in Maple Ridge while trying to prevent the theft of gasoline from the gas station where he worked.

"The government has some far-reaching goals for a Golden Decade, but apparently reducing death on the job isn't one of them," Sinclair said, expressing concern that Solicitor General John Les has appeared to dismiss the need for action, relying on reports from the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) that existing laws are "working pretty well right now."

The B.C. Federation of Labour conducted an informal survey earlier this February of gas stations operating in the Lower Mainland. Of the 12 stations surveyed, only one appeared to have implemented a working alone policy as outlined by WCB regulations.

"Our survey, and these incidents show that things aren't working," said Sinclair. "We've put forward some reasonable steps that could be implemented quickly if the government shared our concern about protecting workers' health and safety."

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The Manitoba provincial government is currently undertaking a review of rules and regulations governing workplace standards with an eye to beefing up protection for these workers.

The B.C. Federation of Labour has called on BC's provincial government to follow Manitoba's lead and implement new measures including:

• Requiring all employers, open to the public with 24-hour or late night operating hours, to file their safety plans for employees with the Workers' Compensation Board. Any employer who fails to file such a plan should be barred from operating in these hours;
• Implementing regulations that would require customers to pay for gasoline before they pump, in an effort to prevent violent crimes occurring;
• An education and awareness campaign for both workers and employers, advising them of the risks, rights and obligations in the service sector;
• Greater enforcement by the WCB and Ministry of Labour, Employment Standards Branch, of current laws and standards; and
• Ensuring that at least two workers are on shift together during late night hours.

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