Vancouver International Airport aircraft fuel workers' union demands
Servisair immediately rescind threat to lockout workers at midnight tonight,
as negotiations continue; union says air travellers' confidence in YVR at
risk due to actions of Servisair in dealing with its workers

VANCOUVER, April 16 /CNW/ - The union for Vancouver International Airport fuel workers is demanding that Servisair immediately rescind its threat to lockout employees who refuel Air Canada, WestJet and all international airlines at midnight tonight - Friday - while contract negotiations continue.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada says the impending lockout threat is unnecessarily putting the confidence of air travellers using YVR at risk.

"Fuel workers are willing to continue their important work refuelling Air Canada, WestJet and all international air carriers using Vancouver International Airport but Servisair is refusing to drop its threat to lock them out as of midnight tonight," said Kay Sinclair, PSAC BC Regional Executive Vice President.

"The union will remain at the bargaining table as long as necessary to reach a fair collective agreement but Servisair is jeopardizing the reputation of Vancouver International Airport with its unnecessary lockout threat," Sinclair said, noting that the union has not served strike notice and will not do so as long as talks continue.

"Servisair can lower the temperature and dramatically improve the chances of reaching a contract if it simply does the right thing and immediately tells fuel workers that they can continue working at YVR tonight and tomorrow," Sinclair said.

Sinclair said a federal conciliation officer remains involved with negotiations and that despite the threat some progress has been made yesterday and today in bargaining.

Union members voted 93 per cent in favour of strike action if necessary but Sinclair said strike notice will not be served while both parties are continuing to negotiate. Key issues are benefits, retirement benefits and other monetary and contract conditions.

Employer Servisair is a Paris-based company that provides fuel to Air Canada, WestJet and most other airlines at Vancouver International Airport as well as at more than 128 locations worldwide.

For further information: Patrick Bragg, PSAC, cell [phone]; or Bill Tieleman, West Star Communications at cell [phone] or [phone]; Website: www.psacbc.com