TODAY: Hotel Workers to Hold Mass Rally at YVR Airport in Day of Action against Air Canada
Hospitality workers and labour allies call for a boycott of the ‘scab’ airline, which sends passengers across picket lines, undermines strikers’ fight for a living wage
Richmond, BC – TODAY, as part of their Day of Action, striking Sheraton Vancouver Airport hotel workers with fellow hospitality workers – represented by UNITE HERE Local 40 – joined by labour and community allies will rally outside of the Air Canada gates at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Following a morning press conference at YVR Airport, the demonstration will continue to inform airline passengers that Air Canada sends their guests across workers’ picket line at the Sheraton, Hilton, and Marriott Vancouver Airport hotels in Richmond. Hospitality workers and their allies are demanding a public boycott of Air Canada – Canada’s ‘scab’ airline – until picket lines are respected.
Larco Hospitality operates the Sheraton, Hilton, and Marriott Vancouver Airport hotels in Richmond, which form British Columbia’s largest hotel complex. The hotels regularly accommodate large flight crews landing at YVR Airport as well as airline passengers who have experienced flight delays. Sheraton Vancouver Airport workers launched their strike five months ago in their fight for living wages. Since then, five airlines have withdrawn their business from the hotel complex in solidarity with the striking workers – WestJet, Porter Airlines, UPS, American Airlines, and Japan Airlines.
The BC Labour Board has deemed the three hotels a common site and is permitting striking workers to picket the perimeter of the hotels. The extended picket line runs daily and affects guests staying at Sheraton, as well as the non-union Hilton and Marriott hotels. Despite this, Air Canada continues to send flight passengers over the picket line, putting their distressed customers in the middle of a labour dispute.
“It is unacceptable that Air Canada is sending their distressed passengers across our picket line. We have been on strike since June fighting for living wages so we can take care of ourselves and our families in Metro Vancouver. The airline is disrespecting hospitality workers as well as their own guests by this disgraceful behavior. We ask the public to boycott this scab airline,” said Felisha Perry, a Banquet Server at Sheraton Vancouver Airport.
The BC Federation of Labour has declared a public boycott of the Sheraton, Hilton, and Marriott Vancouver Airport hotels until the workers at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport hotel settle their strike. A boycott is also in effect at Radisson Blu Vancouver Airport hotel in Richmond where workers are also on strike.
Protest Details:
WHAT: Mass Protest against Air Canada
WHEN: Thursday, December 7th at 5:00 PM
WHO: Striking Sheraton Vancouver Airport hotel workers joined by fellow hospitality workers, labour and community allies
WHERE: Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Air Canada Gates, Level 3 Departures
VISUALS: Workers chanting, marching, and speaking with colourful banners, signs, and bullhorns
Media Contact: Sharan Pawa, 604-710-1693, sharan@unitehere40.com