Press Release: Labour Board orders cease and desist against Air Canada’s caterer at YVR Airport for violating striking workers’ rights

For Immediate Release

Vancouver, BC —- Air Canada’s airline catering firm, Gate Gourmet, breached BC’s labour code when the company used replacement workers during a strike action at Vancouver Airport, according to a new ruling by the BC Labour Board. The company double-catered flights for Air Canada at other airports after Gate Gourmet YVR workers launched an overtime ban in protest over wages and working conditions. The workers are represented by UNITE HERE Local 40.

The Vice-Chair of the Labour Relations Board ordered a cease and desist after finding that Gate Gourmet breached Section 68 of the provincial labour code which prohibits use of impermissible replacement workers to perform struck work. Gate Gourmet Canada Inc. had its employees at airports in Alberta and Ontario double-cater flights for Air Canada that would otherwise have been catered out of Vancouver Airport, by striking employees.

The Board found that it was a breach of Section 68 of the Code for Gate Gourmet kitchens outside of BC to double-cater struck work. Going forward during future strike activity, Gate Gourmet cannot respond by double-catering out of other kitchens.

Air Canada’s contracted catering workers are some of the lowest paid workers in the airline industry and have been negotiating for increases that would allow them to keep up with the skyrocketing inflation and rising cost of living.

“This order sends a strong message to Gate Gourmet that they cannot get away with undermining BC’s labor laws. Airline catering staff are prepared to take further action until the company addresses workers’ concerns over cost of living increases and staffing issues,” said Mike Biskar, union negotiator.

Contact: Michelle Travis, [email protected], 778-960-9785

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UNITE HERE Local 40 is the hospitality workers’ union and represents members in the hotel, food service and airport industries throughout British Columbia. Learn more at UniteHereLocal40.org.