Travellers using Vancouver International Airport (YVR) may have to cross picket lines in order to catch their flights if janitorial workers make good on their promise to escalate their job action. Their union is urging other airport workers to not cross the picket lines.
This carries the potential for disrupted travel during one of the airport's busiest times of the year.
The janitors, who are members of the SEIU Local 2 union and employees of Alpine Building Maintenance, launched their strike Dec. 20.
So far, they have been gathering to picket at the airport's authorized demonstration area at Chester Johnson Park.
"That will change tomorrow morning," the union said this morning.
"The cleaners plan to exercise their right to set up lawful picket lines at undisclosed areas of the airport and are asking airport workers who have the legal right to honour picket lines to not cross."
Cleaner Cristina Ignacio said in a statement that the janitors' strategy so far to not leave Chester Johnson Park was part of "an effort to create an environment where a deal could still be reached."
She added that because the cleaners so far do not have a deal, she believes it is important to ratchet up the strike to be sure that the union's voice is heard.
There are 233 janitors who have been without a contract since the end of September, according to the union. They say their employer has refused to offer wages that keep up with rising costs.
They are seeking at least $25 per hour as a starting wage, up from the current $23.26.
Alpine Building Maintenance sent BIV an email saying that its compensation proposal was rejected by a union vote.
"We believe the offer we presented – a $27.05 per hour total compensation package, including wages and extensive benefits - was competitive and fair," it said. "We believe this offer significantly exceeds the industry standards across the Lower Mainland."
Alpine said bargaining is not happening right now.
"Our priority remains reaching a resolution as quickly as possible and working collaboratively toward an agreement and we are very optimistic we will be back to the bargaining table soon," it said in its email.
The janitors clean terminals, bathrooms, hallways and most areas of the airport.
The Vancouver Airport Authority, which operates the airport, told BIV in an email that Alpine's managers are cleaning the airport.
"As you can appreciate, YVR is a large building," the VAA said in its email.
"Alpine’s management team is first cleaning high traffic areas, such as washrooms and garbage receptacles. Again, this is being done solely by Alpine management. No other contractors or workers have been engaged in that work."
