BC partnership with restaurant workers

July 22 2002 - The agreement between the provincial government and the B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association will serve up healthy workplace relationships through a clear understanding of employment standards, says Labour Minister Graham Bruce.

"Government is taking a much more active approach to working with industry associations," Bruce said. "That direct approach, through arrangements like this agreement, is key to protecting vulnerable workers and increasing prosperity in the workplace."

The agreement means that an employment standards branch officer will work exclusively with the association to educate workers and association members, review payroll information and mediate disputes. The purpose is to improve voluntary compliance with employment standards, avoiding long, costly investigations. Disputes that cannot be resolved through mediation and voluntary resolution will be managed through the employment standards branch.

"Co-operation, communication and teamwork are essential to the mutual success of employers and employees in our industry," B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association chair Geoffrey Howes said. "We believe this agreement will support these goals."

"This has the potential to work for everyone - employers, employees and government," Bruce said. "We want to use this model with other industries. Our goal is to create more partnerships that help make B.C. a better place to live, work and do business." The BC agreement is similar to one between the Alberta government and that province's restaurant association in 2000. The Alberta agreement resulted in a 60 per cent reduction in employment standards complaints.

British Columbia employers face the strongest mandatory penalties in Canada under legislative changes to employment standards introduced May 13. Mandatory penalties of $500 for a first offence, $2,500 for a second offence and $10,000 for a third violation of employment standards will be implemented within the coming months.