Annual ‘sit-in’ to bring back Grant’s Law and protect vulnerable workers

April 16, 2016 | News Release

Vancouver – The BC Federation of Labour’s Young Workers’ Committee is holding its annual overnight ‘sit-in’ to mark the anniversary when the BC Liberal government put vulnerable workers at risk by weakening Grant’s Law.

“It has been four years since the government changed Grant’s Law and weakened the requirements to keep workers safe. We are here to mark this shameful day and to raise awareness of the dangers workers face when working alone at night,” said Caitlin Davidson-King, Chairperson of the BCFED Young Workers’ Committee. “It is unacceptable for the government and employers to put profit ahead of workers’ safety.”

For the last four years, young workers have gathered in an overnight ‘sit-in’ to demand government reinstate Grant’s Law and bring back the legislation requiring two workers to be on shift together or to have a barrier in place to protect workers during late night hours.

This year events will take place in Vancouver and Victoria:

Vancouver:
When: April 16, 8:00 pm to 6:00 am – media availability at 8:30 pm
Where: Mac’s Convenience Store, 601 East Broadway (Broadway and Fraser)

Victoria:
When: April 16, 8:00 pm to 6:00 am – media availability at 8:30 pm
Where: Mac’s Convenience Store, 1304 Douglas St

Grant’s Law was named after 24-year old Grant DePatie, a gas station attendant who died at work after a gas and dash incident. However, on April 15, 2012, the BC Liberal government bowed to pressure from the business community, including Mac’s Convenient Stores, and removed specific safety requirements from Grant’s Law.

“Clearly tragedy is not enough for the BC Liberal government to do the right thing and protect workers, no matter what time of day or night they work,” said Irene Lanzinger, President of the BC Federation of Labour. “No workers should be put in harm’s way. The government has an obligation to set the rules so every worker can come home safe.”