TALKS SCHEDULED, BUT YVR STRIKE POSSIBLE

Vancouver International Airport could face strike action over the Labour Day weekend after the union representing 300 members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada/Union of Canadian Transportation Employees Local 20221 served the necessary 72 hour strike notice to the airport.

The PSAC/UCTE employees are directly employed by the Vancouver Airport Authority and provide services that include emergency response, international arrivals customer care, runway maintenance, airfield & approach lighting, passenger loading operations, maintenance and administrative services at the airport.

Bob Jackson, regional executive vice-president of PSAC, said, \”We felt we had no choice. YVR is demanding concessions but at the same time are budgeting millions of dollars per year on capital projects. Our members find this unacceptable.\”

The union said that the Airport Authority has tabled language that weakens apprenticeship provisions in the collective agreement and wants to create a two-tier wage system by creating a new class of \”seasonal\” workers.

Dave Clark, regional vice-president of the UCTE, stated that, \”Job action will cause significant delays at the airport and we are advising travellers to plan accordingly. The public should contact YVR or their airline to check on the status of their flights.\”

Eleventh-hour negotiations, assisted by a federal mediator, are scheduled for Aug. 28 and Aug. 29.

Said Clark, \”We hope our talks are productive but we are prepared to take job action if necessary. The ball is in YVR\’s court.\”
Job action could begin as soon as Friday, Aug. 30.

However, the Vancouver Airport Authority made it clear after the union filed its strike notice that operations at Vancouver International Airport are not affected by that notice.

Airport authorities also said that YVR will remain open and operating in a safe and efficient manner should a strike occur.
And it pointed out that federal regulations require essential employees be in place to ensure the safety and security of travellers and airport facilities.

The Airport Authority and the PSAC have a Maintenance of Activities Agreement, reached on Aug. 23, which ensures employees in these essential roles will continue to work alongside management.

It also said that it remains committed to reaching a negotiated settlement that is fair for both parties.

All updates about airport operations will be posted on http://www.yvr.ca under Latest Info.