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Late-night retailers put profits ahead of worker safety
June 2, 2010
This afternoon B.C. Federation of Labour President, Jim Sinclair will call on the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) to enforce - not weaken - regulations that protect late-night retail workers.
These workplace safety regulations were established following the 2005 death of gas station worker Grant De Patie who was killed during a robbery. The WCB regulations that came into force in February 2008 included the requirement that late-night retail employers provide a safety barrier or ensure that stores are staffed by at least two workers between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am.
Bowing to objections from some retailers, particularly private liquor store owners, the WCB has repeatedly postponed implementing the regulations and is now considering weakening them.
"Police statistics show that most robberies at gas stations and retail stores occur in the evening and late-night hours. The danger period begins as early as 6:00 pm when there are fewer people around than during the working day. Weakening this regulation is a step in the wrong direction. Instead of reducing the hours, the WCB should really consider extending the hours of the Working Alone Regulations," says Jim Sinclair, President of the Federation.
In April, the Federation did a survey of private liquor stores in Metro Vancouver and found that most stores were already voluntarily complying with the regulations. "The WCB should not be watering down the regulations to benefit those retailers who refuse or do not want to comply with the regulations. These store owners are putting profits ahead of the safety of their workers," Sinclair added.
Jim Sinclair will be making a Submission to the WCB Regulation Review this afternoon at 3:30 at the Executive Airport Plaza Hotel and Conference Centre, 7311 Westminster Highway, in Richmond.
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For more information: Evan Stewart, Director of Communication (604) 430-1421.
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