Union President Refuses to Answer Questions on Controversial Vancouver Council Campaign

Zailda Chan, president of the Unite Here Local 40 union, has refused to address concerns regarding a controversial phone-in campaign targeting Vancouver city council meetings. The union's tactics have drawn criticism, with some labeling them as foreign interference due to the involvement of callers from outside the city.

During a public hearing on July 22, several individuals opposing a Vancouver urban planning proposal admitted they were not local residents, with some identifying as being from California. The following day, a union spokesperson confirmed that they had reached out to supporters in the United States. This controversy has led to skepticism about the legitimacy of public input on city development proposals.

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I’m taking those concerns seriously.

Councilor Peter Meiszner voiced his frustration, highlighting how these out-of-town callers can disenfranchise actual Vancouver residents. He stated that it is particularly disheartening for citizens who wait hours to provide feedback on proposals that directly impact their lives. The Unite Here Local 40 union represents hotel, food service, and airport workers, and has previously opposed developments, citing Vancouver's affordability crisis.

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It’s super frustrating not just for councillors, but I think especially for Vancouver residents who have waited hours to be able to call in and give their feedback on, you know, proposals that actually impact their lives.