Press Release: YVR Airport CEO says no guarantee of successor rights for contracted food workers

Contract-flipping at YVR may continue despite looming changes to provincial, federal code

Vancouver – UNITE HERE Local 40, which represents contracted foodservice workers at YVR Airport, held a press conference today to urge Vancouver Airport Authority to rehire the 90 foodservice workers who work at three contracted units and who stand to lose their jobs due to contract-flipping.

As the NDP Government tables legislation to amend the BC Labour Code and extend successorship protections to contracted foodservice workers, Vancouver Airport Authority CEO Craig Richmond says YVR will only promise job interviews for the 90 workers at HMSHost, the operator of the airport White Spot, Brioche Doree and Burger King.  Mr. Richmond said at a YVR’s recent annual meeting they won’t guarantee the 90 workers will be rehired by incoming contractors – despite the forthcoming law change. YVR retendered HMSHost’s contract and awarded the bid to a new contractor who will takeover operation of the outlets in fall 2019 and early 2020.

“We want YVR, as a community leader, and an economic leader, to embrace the new successorship law.  No ifs, ands, or buts.  YVR should make it their policy that all YVR contractors must hire current staff and that workers keep their wages, their benefits, and their union contract, said Robert Demand, Executive Director, UNITE HERE Local 40.

Federal and provincial levels of government have acted recently to address contract-flipping.  In December, the federal government passed legislation that will protect some workers in federally-regulated sectors from contract-flipping, such as security guards and maintenance staff at airports.  At the provincial level, the B.C. government recently made changes that protects workers from contract-flipping in the health care sector.  The Province recently introduced legislation to reform the BC Labour Code, including the extension of successorship protections to contracted foodservice, janitorial, security and transportation workers.

For more information contact: Michelle Travis at (778) 960-9785 or [email protected]

###