Strike averted at Vancouver airport after tentative deal struck

VANCOUVER – Travellers heading out of Vancouver's airport this morning didn't have to navigate through picket lines as strike action by nearly 350 unionized workers was averted.

A wage increase is part of the tentative deal reached late Thursday, but details of the agreement between the Public Service Alliance of Canada and the Vancouver Airport Authority won't be released until the union votes on it.

Vancouver Airport Authority spokeswoman Anne Murray says she believes the agreement is a fair and equitable solution for both parties.

The union's bargaining team is unanimously recommending its members accept the deal.

The union represents employees working in emergency response, customer care and runway maintenance.

Weeks ago, members voted 83 per cent in favour of strike action to back contract demands and on Tuesday, the union issued 72-hour strike notice, making job action possible this morning.