Visitors arriving at Vancouver's international airport Wednesday morning were met with more than just sunny skies. A group representing more than 300 members of Unite Here Local 40 erected a picket line outside of the international terminal before daybreak.
The workers are employed at 16 HMS Host restaurants and coffee shops within the airport, as well as two warehouses.
They say 60 Milestones employees were promised jobs at a new restaurant when the franchise closes after the Olympic Games -- but HMS Host has now done an about face and everyone is set to lose their jobs by the end of the month.
"This means 60 people out of work, many of whom are long time workers. Many have been there for more than a decade," Lynn Flandera of Unite Here told ctvbc.ca.
Flandera said the pending layoffs scared other airport hospitality workers, all who have been without a contract since March of last year.
HMS Host issued a lockout notice to employees on Jan. 4.
The union members say they voted to strike after weeks of contract negotiations with their employer failed to address job security concerns, as well as pension and medical issues. They voted 90 per cent in favour of striking on Feb. 12.
In an emailed statement, HMS Host said it was "disappointed" the union voted to strike on the opening day of the 2010 Winter Games.
The company is urging workers to delay its job action until the end of the Olympics. It is asking the union to return to mediation quickly or agree to put negotiations on hold until March.
"It has been our sincere wish to reach a fair collective agreement for our food, beverage and retail associates and to prevent possible disruption of airport services to travelers during the Olympic Games," the statement said.
Flandera says workers would like nothing more than to be working.
"Nobody wants to be on strike right now. They'd much rather be greeting people for the Olympics rather than being stressed out and on the picket line."
More than 160 non-unionized food outlets at the facility will remain open during the job action.
