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, .
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.
The janitors clean terminals, bathrooms, hallways and most areas of the airport.
BIV reached out to the Vancouver Airport Authority, which operates the airport, and Alpine Building Maintenance.
The VAA has not yet responded to say what impact the strike so far has had on operations or what impact an escalated strike could unleash.
Alpine emailed back to say that it would have a statement this afternoon.
