HMS Host, the U.S. - based multinational food service contractor, is forcing workers in the Vancouver Airport to choose between welcoming the world and keeping their jobs. 300 Host workers have been working without a union contract since March 2009. 60 workers will lose their jobs immediately after the Olympics.
On January 4, 2010, Host issued a lockout notice in an attempt to intimidate workers into settling the contract. When Host workers refused to be bullied, the company came back to the bargaining table. After weeks of intense negotiations (Local 40 estimates over 100 hours were spent bargaining in January), Host still failed to adequately address the job security issue as well as outstanding pension and medical issues.
Yesterday, Host workers voted 90% to strike.
18 food and beverage outlets at YVR are included in the strike vote, including Milestones , Tim Hortons, Palominos, Harveys, Stanleys and many others.