Vancouver airport workers issue 72-hour strike notice; possible delays

VANCOUVER – The union representing workers at Vancouver International Airport says as many as 300 people could go on strike this Friday, potentially causing significant delays over the Labour Day weekend.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada says it has served a 72-hour strike notice.

Union spokesman Dave Clark says travellers should contact the airport or their airline to check on the status of flights and plan accordingly, as any job action will delay services.

Clark says the main issues are what the union considers concessions that the airport wants in a new contract, particularly around wages for trades people and procedures for contracting out work.

The union also wants new provisions to allow some workers to extend their daily hours in order to work four days a week instead of five.

Negotiations with a federal mediator are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.

The union’s members work in emergency response, customer care, runway maintenance, airfield and approach lighting, passenger loading operations, as well as maintenance and administrative services.