UFCW 1518 calls on province to mandate masks in retail stores

New Westminster, B.C. – October 31, 2020 – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to escalate in British Columbia and across Canada, UFCW 1518 President Kim Novak recently sent a letter to B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, asking her to require anyone entering a grocery store or retail outlet to wear a mask.

The call comes after COVID-19 cases peaked to over 800 in late October, making it clear that British Columbia is in the second wave of the pandemic.

UFCW 1518 is seeking mandatory mask-wearing in grocery stores to slow the transmission of the virus and to protect front line workers, including UFCW members working in retail stores throughout the province.

“UFCW 1518 members are diligently doing their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by wearing masks and carrying out enhanced health and safety procedures in stores,” says Novak. “However, it is time for the government to do its part to protect workers by ensuring that customers are required to wear masks,” she adds.

To read the Local Union’s full letter to Dr. Henry, click here.

UFCW Local 1518 represents 22,000 members working in the community health, retail, industrial, and professional sectors across British Columbia. To learn more about UFCW 1518 and its outstanding work, visit the Local Union’s website.