Host committee leaders discuss the tentative agreement with co-workers in a membership meeting.

HMS Host workers at YVR overwhelmingly ratified a new union contract today by a vote of 98%. The Host workers won job security improvements in all units, a pathway for Milestones workers to transfer to the new White Spot restaurant, layoff and recall rights, significant wage gains, increased pension contributions and better union access at YVR.

Fipe Wong, a 13-year cook in Palominos, said, “I think we made history at the airport. At the end of the day, its not about the money. Its about the union and being united.”

After a one-day strike and a 6-day lockout, both HMS Host and union members engaged in tough bargaining, made necessary compromises and came away with an agreement in time for the Vancouver Airport’s busiest day ever, March 1.

Local 40 salutes the courage of the Host workers.

Rank and file committee leaders reached a tentative agreement today with HMS Host for a new union contract covering 300 food service and retail workers at YVR. Highlights of the agreement include significant wage increases, improved job security, transfer, layoff and recall rights, and increased pension contributions.

Locked out HMS Host workers continue to picket at YVR. Committee leader, Mercy Dagsaan (pictured), a 7-year cashier at Tim Hortons, speaks out about the hardship and the fight:

“The lockout affects me personally because I can’t pay my bills without a paycheque. But I feel good on the picket line because we can express our rights.

By staying on the picket line, we are telling them we need respect, justice and that we need a better wage, benefits and pension.”

HMS Host locked out 300 food service workers at YVR on February 18.

Although Host has reported lower numbers, by Local 40’s count, 30% of all restaurant and food service operations at YVR remain closed.

Locked out HMS Host workers picketing in front of a closed Tim Hortons inside the Vancouver Airport

Day 2 of the HMS Host Lock Out at the Vancouver Airport. Host workers are standing strong and picketing the shut food service outlets. All 16 unionized food service outlets at YVR remain closed. Host workers are leafletting travelers at the airport and marching with “locked out” signs in front of the shut restaurants to let the public know that American food service giant, HMS Host, has locked their employees out and shuttered their operations.

Media Contact:

Lynn Flandera

604-473-4815

Vancouver City Councillor Geoff Meggs, BC Federation of Labour President, Jim Sinclair and MLA Adrian Dix, joined HMS Host workers as they tried to return to work Thursday morning–and learned they were locked out.

CLICK HERE to read Geoff’s blog post on the lockout and YVR.

Local 40 wants to get back to the bargaining table with HMS Host and avoid further disruption at YVR, yet 300 food service workers at the Vancouver Airport remain locked out of their jobs by Host. CTV is covering the lockout. CLICK HERE for the report.

BC Federation of Labour President, Jim Sinclair, and MLA Adrian Dix joined locked out HMS Host workers picketing inside the Level 3 domestic terminal food court at YVR this morning

When HMS Host workers arrived at YVR this morning, prepared to return to work after a one-day strike and willing to come back to the bargaining table with Host, Host locked them out of their jobs.