PSAC holds strike vote at YVR, labour disruptions loom as GlobeGround Fuel
Services refuses to extend conciliation period

VANCOUVER, April 12 /CNW/ - Representatives of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) are meeting with GlobeGround Fuel Services/Servisair (GlobeGround) today in an effort to stave off a possible labour disruption at the Vancouver airport, which could begin as early as this week.

Passengers at YVR may face delays and slowdowns after April 12 2010, when the conciliation period ends and the parties are in a strike or lockout position.

"PSAC and GlobeGround began negotiations in December 2009 and met again in January 2010." says Kay Sinclair, PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President for BC, "After only a few days of negotiation, GlobeGround stated they had been working on an application for conciliation. They felt they needed the help of a Conciliation Officer, and wanted to expedite the bargaining process. They then delayed meeting with us for over a month."

"Since then", she continues, "We have met twice with the aid of a Conciliation Officer in the hopes of reaching a settlement. During the last meeting GlobeGround tabled a global offer to settle all outstanding matters before we even presented our monetary proposal."

"Under the Canada Labour Code, the dates that trigger a legal strike or lockout can be extended by mutual agreement." says Jason Salchert, Local Vice-President and member of the Bargaining Team, "PSAC is amenable to an extension to the conciliation dates but GlobeGround has refused."

"The conciliation period ends on April 12," he explains, "Our next meeting dates are scheduled for April 12 and 13 - at this time we will already be in a strike or lockout position. We held a vote on April 9 and over 93% of our members voted to support strike action in order to gain better working conditions and benefits, and to push the employer to negotiate fairly."

The PSAC is a diverse union of over 165,000 members working in the public and private sectors, delivering quality services to Canadians every day. GlobeGround is a new PSAC unit whose seventy-three members provide fueling and fueling related services at the Vancouver International Airport.

For further information: Jason Salchert - VP Labour Relations, PSAC Local 20221, [phone]; Janelle Ho-Shing - PSAC Regional Representative, [phone]