Union files complaint against hospitality staff employer over work reassignment allegations

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A hospitality workers’ union has filed a complaint with the BC Labour Relations Board against a Peace region employer, which has denied the allegations against it.  

Unite Here Local 40 is embroiled in the row with Horizon North, which is a subsidiary of Dexterra Group employing workers in food service, housekeeping and maintenance at Peace region oil and gas workers’ accommodation camps, including Kobes Creek Lodge, CPC Montney Lodge and Attachie Lodge.

The allegations surround Horizon North’s reassignment policy – this is when an employee is moved to a different camp when workload slows.

Horizon North is being accused of refusing to give union members reassignments at “non-unionized” worksites, allegedly telling workers it is the union’s responsibility to find them a placement.

This would violate the part of the BC Labour Relations Code which bans employers from refusing to employ trade union members, Unite says. 

Horizon North’s parent Dexterra has denied the accusation, saying it is “confident” its practices “are in alignment with both the spirit and the letter of the BC Labour Relations Code.”

A statement issued to Energeticcity.ca said: “Dexterra Group is proud of our dedicated workforce and committed to providing fair, respectful and inclusive workplaces, regardless of employment status or union affiliation.

“Staffing decisions are based on operational needs, site requirements, qualifications and seniority, in compliance with all applicable labour laws.”

The union’s complaint seeks an order to end the alleged practice, release records of affected workers and compensate anyone denied work.

“This is blatant blacklisting of low-wage immigrant workers who dared to join a union,” alleged Zailda Chan, president of Unite Here Local 40.

“Horizon North is punishing them for organizing and stripping them of future job opportunities.”

This comes soon after Unite Here Local 40’s members voted to strike at various Horizon North sites in a row over pay and conditions. 

New contracts were ratified at the beginning of May, ending the action, but not before the union accused Horizon North of locking out and stranding striking workers in Fort St. John. 

Unite Here Local 40 represents the Horizon North employees at six of its camps across B.C.