Union for refueling supervisors locked out by Servisair warns public of
flight delays with advertising campaign

VANCOUVER, Aug. 3 /CNW/ - The union representing Vancouver International Airport refueling supervisors locked out by employer Servisair says flight delays continue and the public should take note.

The lockout, imposed by Servisair on July 19, has caused major flight delays and the employer's refusal to negotiate a first collective agreement inconveniences the public and airline companies, says Kay Sinclair, PSAC Regional Executive Vice President.

"We've begun an advertising campaign to let the travelling public know that the continued lockout of our members impacts departure times at Vancouver International Airport," said Sinclair. "We strongly recommend travelers flying out of Vancouver check the airport website - www.yvr.ca - or contact their airline to get the latest information."

Sinclair points out that legal documents Servisair filed with the Canadian Industrial Relations Board show that "Air Canada advised Servisair that it could not afford a repeat" of delays experienced the day the lockout started and that United, KLM, Continental, Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, US Airways and Air North all reported fuelling delays.

"It's clear that you cannot replace veteran YVR refueling supervisors with replacement workers from outside the area and expect this complicated scheduling to be maintained," said Sinclair. "Our members are very frustrated that Servisair - a Paris-based multinational corporation - does not care what happens at Vancouver International Airport."

"The obvious solution is to negotiate a fair collective agreement and end the flight delays and the damage to YVR's otherwise good reputation."

Sinclair said full page ads in Vancouver's 24 hours and Metro newspapers are the first in a series that will warn air travelers of the flight delays the Servisair lockout is causing at YVR.

Members of Union of Canadian Transportation Employees/Public Service Alliance of Canada Local 20221 employed by Servisair, under its subsidiary's name, GlobeGround Fuel Service, provide fuelling and calculate fuel loads to fuel to Air Canada, WestJet and other airlines at Vancouver International Airport.

For further information: Patrick Bragg, PSAC, at 604-430-5631 or cell 778 889 3486 or Bill Tieleman, West Star Communications at cell 778-896-0964 or 604-844-7827; Website: http://www.psacbc.com/