Megavarshini Somasundaram

Jun 7, 2024 | pressprogress.ca | Emily Leedham |Megavarshini Somasundaram

Cascadia liquor store workers from three locations—Eagle Creek, Quadra Villages and Colwood—in Victoria, BC, have been on strike since May 4, 2024 for fair wages. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents the Cascadia workers, said most workers make between $18-19 per hour, which is almost $8 below a living wage in Victoria.

May 22, 2024 | pressprogress.ca | Megavarshini Somasundaram

A crowd of over 100 people gathered in Vancouver last week carrying rainbow flags at the Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza as part of a nationwide movement calling on governments to take action against the growing hate towards the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The National Rainbow Week of Action, led by the Society of Queer Momentum, united 2SLGBTQIA+ advocates and allies across Canada to speak up for a more free, equal and socially just future for queer and trans people.

May 16, 2024 | pressprogress.ca | Rumneek Johal |Megavarshini Somasundaram

Jiratchaya Piamkulvanich remembers visiting her sister last summer and witnessing her live a calm, thriving life in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. “She kept telling me about the richness of the city’s landscape, the better quality of life and most importantly, higher wages in Canada,” Piamkulvanich recalled.

May 7, 2024 | pressprogress.ca | Rumneek Johal |Megavarshini Somasundaram

Striking workers at a BC hotel commemorated three-years on the pickets with a rally, marking their labour dispute as Canada’s longest ongoing strike. The strike by Radisson Blu hotel workers is Canada’s longest ongoing strike and longest hotel strike in BC history. The workers at the Radisson Blu, formerly known as the Pacific Gateway Hotel, are fighting for the recall rights of 143 terminated staff, job security and family-supporting wages and benefits.

Apr 30, 2024 | pressprogress.ca | Rumneek Johal |Megavarshini Somasundaram

Hudson’s Bay workers in Kamloops, BC have been on strike for nearly five months, fighting for higher wages to meet rising living costs. The workers rejected Hudson Bay’s initial offer which fell far short of expectations, according to their union. United Steelworkers Union (USW) Local 1-417, which represents the workers, said that the employer came to the bargaining table with a one per cent wage increase, which roughly amounts to $0.17 an hour.