The union representing ground crews that fuel planes at Vancouver International Airport is warning a strike could disrupt travel plans for anyone flying in and out of Vancouver this summer.
Seventy ground crew workers who fuel aircraft will be in a legal strike position July 28, say the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).
The union says it is making little progress with the workers’ employer, GlobeGround Fuel Services, on renewing its collective agreement.
Meanwhile, another 300 workers employed by the Vancouver Airport Authority – including international customer care agents, runway maintenance crews, baggage handlers and maintenance and administrative services workers – are still hoping to achieve a negotiated settlement.
“We’ve been negotiating in good faith with both employers and still hope to achieve negotiated agreements, but both GlobeGround and YVR have dug in and are refusing to move on many of our outstanding issues,” said Bob Jackson, PSAC regional executive for B.C.
According to PSAC, some of the issues holding up talks with fuel workers include safeguards against moving workers to split-shift schedules, and provisions for leave for workers with critically ill family members, which the employer wants removed.
“Our members voted 100% to take strike action, if necessary, and this could come as soon as July 28,”Jackson warned.
