Media Advisory: Behind the Scenes at North America’s “#1 Airport”: Frontline Workers at Canadian Skies Hospitality to Hold Panel as Airport Privatization Looms

Richmond, B.C. — Frontline airport concession workers employed by Canadian Skies Hospitality Group, which operates White Spot and Triple O’s locations at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), will hold a worker panel this Thursday, October 1, to address their months-long fight for a first collective agreement. While Vancouver Airport Authority heavily promotes its status as North America’s #1 Airport and its certification as a Living Wage Employer, a major gap persists: hundreds of low-wage concession workers remain excluded from these living wage standards.

This panel comes at a critical moment for the airport’s future. Following the federal government’s recent announcement to open YVR up to private investment and long-term corporate concessions, workers will discuss how airport concession workers already face challenging working conditions, low wages, and precarious working conditions under YVR’s current non-profit model.

Members of the community, labour allies, and media are invited to hear directly from the workers fighting for a fair contract.

WHAT: Worker Panel on YVR Airport and Canadian Skies Hospitality Group

WHEN: Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 5:30PM

WHERE: Richmond Caring Place, 7000 Minoru Blvd (Room 345), Richmond, BC

WHO: Newly unionized YVR airport concession workers and members of UNITE HERE Local 40.

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