Labour situation at Vancouver Airport worsens – delays could begin in two wee
VANCOUVER, Sept. 2 /CNW/ – Representatives of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) are meeting with the Vancouver International Airport Authority (VIAA) tomorrow in a last minute effort to stave off a possible labour disruption at the airport, which could begin as early as September 18th.
“The clock is ticking at YVR,” says Kay Sinclair, PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President for BC, “We’ve met for 16 days over the last six months and it’s down to the wire – the Airport Authority now has just over two weeks to table an offer that meets our members’ needs.”
“PSAC members working at the airport are in a legal strike position starting September 18th,” she continues, “In a last ditch effort to avoid any disruption in service at the airport we will be returning to the table
tomorrow with the help of a mediator.”
“Despite making over 31 million dollars in revenue over expenses in the first six months of this year, YVR has tabled a financial offer that is still far below average wage increases in the airport sector. They claim this is due to the state of the economy and the airline industry.” says Dave Clark, President of Local 20221 of the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE), a Component of the PSAC. “In the same economic environment every other comparable airport in the country is able to provide reasonable wage increase to their employees. Why can’t this Airport Authority?” asks Clark.
There are more than 340 PSAC members employed by the VIAA. These workers provide key services such as emergency response, international arrivals customer care, runway maintenance, airfield & approach lighting, computer system maintenance, baggage handling, passenger loading bridge operation, maintenance of airport equipment and administrative services.
A diverse union of over 165,000, PSAC members working in the public and private sectors deliver quality services to Canadians every day.
YVR Bargaining Backgrounder
Vancouver International Airport Authority is the not-for-profit society that manages the Vancouver airport.
Over 340 PSAC members are employed by the Airport Authority, in July they gave their negotiating team a strong strike vote mandate.
They provide key services such as emergency response, international arrivals customer care, runway maintenance, airfield & approach lighting, computer system maintenance, baggage handling, passenger loading bridge operation, maintenance of airport equipment and administrative services.
VIAA forecast $19.9 million in revenue over expenses for the first six months of 2009, the actual revenue over expenses in this period was $31.8 million.
The contract expired December 31st 2008 and the parties have met for 13 days since then. They also met for three days with a federal Conciliation Officer without success. One last day has been scheduled to meet, using the services of a federal mediator.
If a settlement is not reached on Thursday, possible job action could take place as early as September 18th 2009.
Recent settlements in the airport sector
- Toronto: average increase of 3%/year over 5 years
- Montreal: average increase of 4%/year over 5 years
- Winnipeg: average increase of 3.1%/year over 4 years
- Edmonton: average increase of 4.3%/year over 4 years
- Ottawa: average increase of 4%/year over 4 years
Other non-monetary items
Flexible hours: a proposal to allow employees to work on a flexible schedule, with consideration for operational requirements. Similar programs are in effect at Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Halifax airports.This would come at no cost to the employer.
A memorandum of understanding that would have the parties meet to discuss retirement options.
