Richmond, BC – Workers from YVR Airport’s White Spot and Triple O’s locations will hold a rally this Wednesday to demand living wages and fair working conditions after months of bargaining for their first collective agreement.
Last year, 80 workers at Canadian Skies Hospitality, which operates the two YVR restaurants, joined UNITE HERE Local 40. Many of the workers earn up to $5 an hour less than workers at other unionized YVR airport concessions. Management has refused to bring wages in line with other unionized operators or meaningfully address workers’ concerns over tips, scheduling, and working conditions.
With the federal government moving toward opening YVR to private investment, this dispute raises concerns about the kinds of employers who stand to benefit and whether corporate profits will be prioritized over workers’ livelihoods.
WHO: Canadian Skies Hospitality workers from YVR Airport’s White Spot and Triple O’s,
UNITE HERE Local 40 members, community supporters, and labour allies
WHEN: Wednesday, October 14, 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
WHERE: YVR Airport, International Arrivals Plaza, Level 2 Plaza
VISUALS: Workers and allies will be marching, carrying signs and chanting with bullhorns.
http://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.png00Michelle Travishttp://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.pngMichelle Travis2026-10-14 12:22:422026-10-14 12:22:42YVR Workers to Rally Today for Living Wages for Canadian Skies Hospitality Workers
UNITE HERE Local 40 Executive Board, the union for hospitality workers, has
made endorsements for the Greater Victoria Area for various municipal councils.
UNITE HERE Local 40 members across Greater Victoria have had municipal and
labour leaders stand with them during strikes and contract bargaining. City of
Victoria Councilors were of special assistance over the last year.
Our Executive Board is proud to make the following endorsement for Victoria
Mayor and City Council:
Victoria Mayor:
Marianne Alto
Victoria City Council Members:
Susan Kim (Victoria For All)
Jeremy Caradona
Matt Dell
Krista Loughton
Dave Thompson
Peter Gibbs (Victoria For All)
Shona Dion
Bella Lee
Jack Sandor
School Board 61 Trustee Area 5:
Maiya Beech
Our Executive Board Council Endorsements for District Saanich Mayor and
Council:
Saanich Mayor:
Zac De Vries
Saanich Council Members:
Garnett Humenick
Kathleen Burton
Teale Phelps Bondaroff
Colin Plant
Maurico Curbelo
Natalie Chambers
School District Trustee 61 Area 6:
Darren Companion
Tracy Humphreys
Oak Bay Mayor:
Sam Holland
Oak Bay Council:
Karin Sweeney
School District Trustee 61 Trustee Area 7
Andrea Mears
Central Saanich Mayor:
Zeb King
Central Saanich Council:
Sarah Riddell
Esquimalt Mayor:
Duncan Cavens
Esquimalt Council:
Tim Morrison
Langford Council:
Colby Harder
Mary Wagner
Keith Yacucha
View Royal Council:
Sacha Christensen
http://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.png00Michelle Travishttp://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.pngMichelle Travis2026-10-09 12:47:242026-10-11 14:44:29Local 40 Endorsements for Greater Victoria Area Municipal Council Races
Vancouver Municipal Election: UNITE HERE Local 40 Endorses Kareem Allam for Mayor; COPE slate for Council, School Board & Park Board
UNITE HERE Local 40, the union for hospitality workers, has endorsed a slate of candidates for Vancouver Mayor and City Council.
Zailda Chan, President of UNITE HERE Local 40: “In this highly competitive municipal election, Local 40 endorsed candidates who listened to our members and understood the need for more affordable housing, not more hotels, so workers can afford to live in the city where they work.”
Kareem Allam, the Vancouver Liberals candidate for Mayor of Vancouver, listened to hotel workers and stood with them. He understood members’ concerns over ABC’s push to prioritize hotel development over housing affordability and backed up his words with action by showing up at City Hall multiple times to rally alongside our members to stand up for the issues that matter to working people.
Sean Orr, COPE candidate running for re-election, stood with Local 40 members in opposition to major hotel proposals, including Holborn Group’s proposed supertall luxury towers. COPE candidates put support for working people at the forefront of their agenda. Local 40 endorses the full slate of COPE candidates to Council, School Board and Parks Board.
Local 40 Endorsements for City of Vancouver
Vancouver Mayor:
Kareem ALLAM – Vancouver Liberals (#56)
Vancouver City Council:
Sean ORR – COPE (#111)
Devyani SINGH – COPE (#121)
Chloe LESLIE – COPE (#124)
Solomon YI-KIERAN – COPE (#155)
Stephanie SMITH – Greens (#147)
Annette REILLY – Greens (#102)
Camil DUMONT – Greens (119)
Jessica WALTON – Vancouver Liberals (#118)
Armor VALOR – Vancouver Liberals (#125)
Devin CLEMENS – Vancouver Liberals (#128)
School Board:
Suzie MAH – COPE (#304)
Melanie CHENG – COPE (#314)
Derrick O’ KEEFE – COPE (#323)
Gwen GIESBRECHT – COPE (#324)
Park Board:
T’uy’t’tanat Cease WYSS – COPE (#203)
Jamie HAN – COPE (#205)
Tamiko SUZUKI – COPE (#206)
Sacia BURTON – COPE (#214)
http://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.png00Michelle Travishttp://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.pngMichelle Travis2026-10-05 19:05:052026-10-05 19:05:05Vancouver Municipal Election: UNITE HERE Local 40 Endorses Kareem Allam for Mayor; COPE slate for Council
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
http://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.png00Michelle Travishttp://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.pngMichelle Travis2026-09-29 18:17:432026-09-29 18:21:11Media Advisory: Behind the Scenes at North America’s “#1 Airport”: Frontline Workers at Canadian Skies Hospitality to Hold Panel as Airport Privatization Looms
VANCOUVER, BC – Five Metro Vancouver residents are taking the city and Holborn Group to court, seeking to quash Vancouver City Council’s recent approval of Holborn’s proposed multi-block downtown development project.
The group filed a petition in BC Supreme Court seeking judicial review of Council’s decision to approve the rezoning application for the project, which includes two 68-storey residential towers, a 79-storey hotel, and a related social housing project.
The petitioners, Robert Bader, Luis Antonio Cervera Bojorquez, Gulzar Grewal, Kabir Madan, and George Temple, had each registered to speak against the project’s rezoning at the city’s public hearing. They are challenging Council’s decision on the basis that the public hearing process failed to provide residents with a meaningful opportunity to participate. The petition also contests the city’s failure to disclose NAV Canada’s concerns that the proposed 1,034-foot hotel tower interferes with airspace or provide a rational for why the project departed from the city’s social housing policies.
“Residents deserve a fair chance to be heard before Council makes a decision of this magnitude. We deserve to know the facts, respond to the information before Council, and to know that our concerns have been genuinely considered,” said Robert Bader, a Vancouver resident and co-petitioner.
Petitioners argue that the hearing procedure on July 23 deprived residents of a meaningful opportunity to make their case, as the Charter and the City’s own procedures intend. Council unexpectedly skipped people on the speakers’ list without explanation, and the hearing was pushed until nearly 1:00 a.m. on a weeknight, rather than adjourned to a time when the public would be reasonably available to speak.
They also argue the city failed to provide material information in advance of the public hearing. It was only during the hearing that city staff revealed NAV Canada’s concerns that the project interferes with federal airspace and could require an 88-foot height reduction to the tallest tower. The developer acknowledged that this could require substantive changes to plans for the project.
The group is also challenging unexplained departures from the city’s established affordable-housing policies. They allege the application reduced the proposed social-housing floor area well below the city’s 20% targets under its Transit-Oriented Areas and Sustainable Large Developments policies, without justification for the departure.
Mayor Ken Sim and ABC councilors approved the proposed supertall tower project rather than send the project back to staff. Councilors Sean Orr, Pete Fry and Lucy Maloney voted in opposition.
The petitioners are asking the court to quash Council’s July 27 decision and to send the matter back to the city for reconsideration.
http://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.png00Michelle Travishttp://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.pngMichelle Travis2026-09-04 15:04:362026-09-04 15:08:02Press Release: Residents take Vancouver to court over approval of Holborn’s proposed supertall tower project
YVR Workers to Rally Today for Living Wages for Canadian Skies Hospitality Workers
Richmond, BC – Workers from YVR Airport’s White Spot and Triple O’s locations will hold a rally this Wednesday to demand living wages and fair working conditions after months of bargaining for their first collective agreement.
Last year, 80 workers at Canadian Skies Hospitality, which operates the two YVR restaurants, joined UNITE HERE Local 40. Many of the workers earn up to $5 an hour less than workers at other unionized YVR airport concessions. Management has refused to bring wages in line with other unionized operators or meaningfully address workers’ concerns over tips, scheduling, and working conditions.
With the federal government moving toward opening YVR to private investment, this dispute raises concerns about the kinds of employers who stand to benefit and whether corporate profits will be prioritized over workers’ livelihoods.
WHO: Canadian Skies Hospitality workers from YVR Airport’s White Spot and Triple O’s,
UNITE HERE Local 40 members, community supporters, and labour allies
WHEN: Wednesday, October 14, 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
WHERE: YVR Airport, International Arrivals Plaza, Level 2 Plaza
VISUALS: Workers and allies will be marching, carrying signs and chanting with bullhorns.
CONTACT: Michelle Travis, [email protected], 778-960-9785
Local 40 Endorsements for Greater Victoria Area Municipal Council Races
UNITE HERE Local 40 Executive Board, the union for hospitality workers, has
made endorsements for the Greater Victoria Area for various municipal councils.
UNITE HERE Local 40 members across Greater Victoria have had municipal and
labour leaders stand with them during strikes and contract bargaining. City of
Victoria Councilors were of special assistance over the last year.
Our Executive Board is proud to make the following endorsement for Victoria
Mayor and City Council:
Victoria Mayor:
Marianne Alto
Victoria City Council Members:
Susan Kim (Victoria For All)
Jeremy Caradona
Matt Dell
Krista Loughton
Dave Thompson
Peter Gibbs (Victoria For All)
Shona Dion
Bella Lee
Jack Sandor
School Board 61 Trustee Area 5:
Maiya Beech
Our Executive Board Council Endorsements for District Saanich Mayor and
Council:
Saanich Mayor:
Zac De Vries
Saanich Council Members:
Garnett Humenick
Kathleen Burton
Teale Phelps Bondaroff
Colin Plant
Maurico Curbelo
Natalie Chambers
School District Trustee 61 Area 6:
Darren Companion
Tracy Humphreys
Oak Bay Mayor:
Sam Holland
Oak Bay Council:
Karin Sweeney
School District Trustee 61 Trustee Area 7
Andrea Mears
Central Saanich Mayor:
Zeb King
Central Saanich Council:
Sarah Riddell
Esquimalt Mayor:
Duncan Cavens
Esquimalt Council:
Tim Morrison
Langford Council:
Colby Harder
Mary Wagner
Keith Yacucha
View Royal Council:
Sacha Christensen
Vancouver Municipal Election: UNITE HERE Local 40 Endorses Kareem Allam for Mayor; COPE slate for Council
Vancouver Municipal Election: UNITE HERE Local 40 Endorses Kareem Allam for Mayor; COPE slate for Council, School Board & Park Board
UNITE HERE Local 40, the union for hospitality workers, has endorsed a slate of candidates for Vancouver Mayor and City Council.
Zailda Chan, President of UNITE HERE Local 40: “In this highly competitive municipal election, Local 40 endorsed candidates who listened to our members and understood the need for more affordable housing, not more hotels, so workers can afford to live in the city where they work.”
Kareem Allam, the Vancouver Liberals candidate for Mayor of Vancouver, listened to hotel workers and stood with them. He understood members’ concerns over ABC’s push to prioritize hotel development over housing affordability and backed up his words with action by showing up at City Hall multiple times to rally alongside our members to stand up for the issues that matter to working people.
Sean Orr, COPE candidate running for re-election, stood with Local 40 members in opposition to major hotel proposals, including Holborn Group’s proposed supertall luxury towers. COPE candidates put support for working people at the forefront of their agenda. Local 40 endorses the full slate of COPE candidates to Council, School Board and Parks Board.
Local 40 Endorsements for City of Vancouver
Vancouver Mayor:
Kareem ALLAM – Vancouver Liberals (#56)
Vancouver City Council:
Sean ORR – COPE (#111)
Devyani SINGH – COPE (#121)
Chloe LESLIE – COPE (#124)
Solomon YI-KIERAN – COPE (#155)
Stephanie SMITH – Greens (#147)
Annette REILLY – Greens (#102)
Camil DUMONT – Greens (119)
Jessica WALTON – Vancouver Liberals (#118)
Armor VALOR – Vancouver Liberals (#125)
Devin CLEMENS – Vancouver Liberals (#128)
School Board:
Suzie MAH – COPE (#304)
Melanie CHENG – COPE (#314)
Derrick O’ KEEFE – COPE (#323)
Gwen GIESBRECHT – COPE (#324)
Park Board:
T’uy’t’tanat Cease WYSS – COPE (#203)
Jamie HAN – COPE (#205)
Tamiko SUZUKI – COPE (#206)
Sacia BURTON – COPE (#214)
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
Press Release: Residents take Vancouver to court over approval of Holborn’s proposed supertall tower project
VANCOUVER, BC – Five Metro Vancouver residents are taking the city and Holborn Group to court, seeking to quash Vancouver City Council’s recent approval of Holborn’s proposed multi-block downtown development project.
The group filed a petition in BC Supreme Court seeking judicial review of Council’s decision to approve the rezoning application for the project, which includes two 68-storey residential towers, a 79-storey hotel, and a related social housing project.
The petitioners, Robert Bader, Luis Antonio Cervera Bojorquez, Gulzar Grewal, Kabir Madan, and George Temple, had each registered to speak against the project’s rezoning at the city’s public hearing. They are challenging Council’s decision on the basis that the public hearing process failed to provide residents with a meaningful opportunity to participate. The petition also contests the city’s failure to disclose NAV Canada’s concerns that the proposed 1,034-foot hotel tower interferes with airspace or provide a rational for why the project departed from the city’s social housing policies.
“Residents deserve a fair chance to be heard before Council makes a decision of this magnitude. We deserve to know the facts, respond to the information before Council, and to know that our concerns have been genuinely considered,” said Robert Bader, a Vancouver resident and co-petitioner.
Petitioners argue that the hearing procedure on July 23 deprived residents of a meaningful opportunity to make their case, as the Charter and the City’s own procedures intend. Council unexpectedly skipped people on the speakers’ list without explanation, and the hearing was pushed until nearly 1:00 a.m. on a weeknight, rather than adjourned to a time when the public would be reasonably available to speak.
They also argue the city failed to provide material information in advance of the public hearing. It was only during the hearing that city staff revealed NAV Canada’s concerns that the project interferes with federal airspace and could require an 88-foot height reduction to the tallest tower. The developer acknowledged that this could require substantive changes to plans for the project.
The group is also challenging unexplained departures from the city’s established affordable-housing policies. They allege the application reduced the proposed social-housing floor area well below the city’s 20% targets under its Transit-Oriented Areas and Sustainable Large Developments policies, without justification for the departure.
Mayor Ken Sim and ABC councilors approved the proposed supertall tower project rather than send the project back to staff. Councilors Sean Orr, Pete Fry and Lucy Maloney voted in opposition.
The petitioners are asking the court to quash Council’s July 27 decision and to send the matter back to the city for reconsideration.
Contact: Michelle Travis, [email protected], 778-960-9785