Members of UNITE HERE Local 40 working for inflight caterer Gate Gourmet ratified their new three-year contract this week. The new agreement achieves significant wage increases, restores overtime on the 6th and 7th days of work, provides new protection for sick and injured workers, and covers increases in medical costs.
The new agreement narrowly averted a strike by inflight catering workers at Vancouver International Airport. Local 40, which represents 400 food preparation workers and drivers at Gate Gourmet, had issued a 72-hour strike notice on August 16.
“After weeks of hard bargaining, we’ve got a deal that addresses the rising cost of living in Vancouver as well as other respect issues in the workplace. Going forward, we are happy to settle a contract that will make sure workers can securely take part in the company’s growing prosperity,” said Phillip Lin, a member of the Union bargaining committee and a high lift driver at Gate Gourmet.
UNITE HERE Local 40 has filed a 72-hour strike notice with the Labour Relations Board on behalf of 400 inflight catering workers at Gate Gourmet. Gate Gourmet provides food and beverages to major airlines like Air Canada, United Airlines, Air China and others.
The Union is scheduled to bargain with the company tomorrow, Friday, August 19th. Check back for more details on a possible strike at YVR.
http://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.png00Michelle Travishttp://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.pngMichelle Travis2016-08-18 15:12:512016-08-18 15:16:15UNITE HERE Local 40 Issues 72-Hour Strike Notice for 400 Gate Gourmet Workers
On August 11th, UNITE HERE Local 40 airline catering members who work for Gate Gourmet held a press conference to issue a travel alert and discuss a possible strike at Vancouver International Airport. Gate Gourmet is a global inflight caterer that services Air Canada, British Airways, Air China, and other major airlines.
Citing the company’s failed promise to pay workers properly after a three-year wage freeze, the stripping away of overtime on the 6th and 7th day of work, and poor treatment of injured workers returning to work, Gate Gourmet workers addressed the media and described what changes they want to see in their workplace. They were joined by Jenny Kwan, MP for Vancouver East, and Aaron Ekman, Secretary-Treasurer, BC Federation of Labour, who spoke in support of the workers.
“I stay overtime so the airlines can get their food on time. Sometimes we go home at 2am to make sure food is delivered. But we are so understaffed, we are doing the jobs of two people. On top of that, the company manages to take away our overtime on the 6th and 7th day of work. Some of us end up working 8 to 10 days in a row without overtime,” said bargaining committee member, Leonisa Paraton, Team Leader-Cold Section, and 20-year employee.
Two other veteran employees described poor treatment of those who return to work after experiencing illness or injury. Months after returning to work, and in one case a year later, the company told workers that their seniority would be reduced retroactively, making them more vulnerable to layoffs and adversely impacting their shift assignments.
Gate Gourmet is benefiting from a turnaround in the airline industry and has won lucrative new business recently. In Vancouver, the tourism industry is booming. Passenger numbers for Vancouver International Airport (YVR) are at an all-time high with a record 20.3 million visitors in 2015 and expected to grow in 2016. Yet, the company has failed to adequately recognize the economic sacrifices made by their 400 employees, mostly immigrants from China and other parts of the globe, who agreed to concessions in their last contract three years ago.
On August 3rd, workers voted overwhelmingly to authorize job actions, up to and including a strike, if no progress is made at the table. Both sides remain far apart and have entered into mediation. The workers’ contract expired on July 31, 2016.
Join UNITE HERE Local 40 at the Vancouver Pride Parade this year!
March with the union, defend LGBTQ rights, and support hotel workers as part of our campaign to end job discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.
This year our union’s theme is “Love Has No Borders!”
The Pride parade takes place Sunday, July 31st at Noon.
Our Local will gather at 11:00am on the west side of Thurlow Street, between Robson and Haro.
http://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.png00Michelle Travishttp://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.pngMichelle Travis2016-07-22 19:59:072016-07-22 19:59:07March with Local 40 at Pride 2016!
Local 40 committee members address management during bargaining
Helen Baisa- Housekeeper – Holiday Inn North Van
In the midst of a boom for Metro Vancouver’s tourism industry, UNITE HERE Local 40 has begun negotiations with the 48 hospitality employers that are represented by Hospitality Industrial Relations (HIR).
Over seventy union members attended the first bargaining session at the Holiday Inn Downtown on June 8th. Members representing properties across the Greater Vancouver Area, Victoria, Harrison, and other parts of B.C addressed management during the meeting. They highlighted the need for better wages, benefits, and retirement packages.
Metro Vancouver’s tourism industry surpassed nine million visitors for the first time ever in 2015, and is on track to surpass that this year. According to industry analysts, hotel profits were up 28% in 2015 and are forecast to grow 13% in 2016. Meanwhile, the cost of living continues to skyrocket for workers. Local 40 members look forward to sharing in the industry’s success and hope to see tangible increases to their wages and benefits in this upcoming contract.
During the bargaining session, Helen Baisa, room attendant at the Holiday Inn North Vancouver, spoke about how the rising cost of living is making life increasingly difficult for hotel workers. “Rent, food, all utilities are higher, and we cannot afford to pay them all,” she said, “so we are asking for an increase to our wages.”
Alice Wong, a room attendant from the Empire Landmark Hotel, echoed those sentiments and focused on the need for an improved pension plan. “I have worked at the Empire Landmark Hotel for 41 years. Hopefully, I can be comfortable when I retire.”
http://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.png00Michelle Travishttp://www.uniteherelocal40.org/wp-content/uploads/local40logo-300x155.pngMichelle Travis2016-06-13 16:38:562016-06-14 15:22:44Hotel workers seek gains in HIR negotiations as BC’s hotel industry booms
Inflight Catering Workers Ratify New 3-Year Agreement
Gate Gourmet Union Bargaining Committee
Members of UNITE HERE Local 40 working for inflight caterer Gate Gourmet ratified their new three-year contract this week. The new agreement achieves significant wage increases, restores overtime on the 6th and 7th days of work, provides new protection for sick and injured workers, and covers increases in medical costs.
The new agreement narrowly averted a strike by inflight catering workers at Vancouver International Airport. Local 40, which represents 400 food preparation workers and drivers at Gate Gourmet, had issued a 72-hour strike notice on August 16.
“After weeks of hard bargaining, we’ve got a deal that addresses the rising cost of living in Vancouver as well as other respect issues in the workplace. Going forward, we are happy to settle a contract that will make sure workers can securely take part in the company’s growing prosperity,” said Phillip Lin, a member of the Union bargaining committee and a high lift driver at Gate Gourmet.
UNITE HERE Local 40 Issues 72-Hour Strike Notice for 400 Gate Gourmet Workers
UNITE HERE Local 40 has filed a 72-hour strike notice with the Labour Relations Board on behalf of 400 inflight catering workers at Gate Gourmet. Gate Gourmet provides food and beverages to major airlines like Air Canada, United Airlines, Air China and others.
The Union is scheduled to bargain with the company tomorrow, Friday, August 19th. Check back for more details on a possible strike at YVR.
Gate Gourmet workers hold press conference, issue travel alert
Gate Gourmet member delivers statement
On August 11th, UNITE HERE Local 40 airline catering members who work for Gate Gourmet held a press conference to issue a travel alert and discuss a possible strike at Vancouver International Airport. Gate Gourmet is a global inflight caterer that services Air Canada, British Airways, Air China, and other major airlines.
Citing the company’s failed promise to pay workers properly after a three-year wage freeze, the stripping away of overtime on the 6th and 7th day of work, and poor treatment of injured workers returning to work, Gate Gourmet workers addressed the media and described what changes they want to see in their workplace. They were joined by Jenny Kwan, MP for Vancouver East, and Aaron Ekman, Secretary-Treasurer, BC Federation of Labour, who spoke in support of the workers.
“I stay overtime so the airlines can get their food on time. Sometimes we go home at 2am to make sure food is delivered. But we are so understaffed, we are doing the jobs of two people. On top of that, the company manages to take away our overtime on the 6th and 7th day of work. Some of us end up working 8 to 10 days in a row without overtime,” said bargaining committee member, Leonisa Paraton, Team Leader-Cold Section, and 20-year employee.
Two other veteran employees described poor treatment of those who return to work after experiencing illness or injury. Months after returning to work, and in one case a year later, the company told workers that their seniority would be reduced retroactively, making them more vulnerable to layoffs and adversely impacting their shift assignments.
Gate Gourmet is benefiting from a turnaround in the airline industry and has won lucrative new business recently. In Vancouver, the tourism industry is booming. Passenger numbers for Vancouver International Airport (YVR) are at an all-time high with a record 20.3 million visitors in 2015 and expected to grow in 2016. Yet, the company has failed to adequately recognize the economic sacrifices made by their 400 employees, mostly immigrants from China and other parts of the globe, who agreed to concessions in their last contract three years ago.
On August 3rd, workers voted overwhelmingly to authorize job actions, up to and including a strike, if no progress is made at the table. Both sides remain far apart and have entered into mediation. The workers’ contract expired on July 31, 2016.
March with Local 40 at Pride 2016!
March with the union, defend LGBTQ rights, and support hotel workers as part of our campaign to end job discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.
This year our union’s theme is “Love Has No Borders!”
The Pride parade takes place Sunday, July 31st at Noon.
Our Local will gather at 11:00am on the west side of Thurlow Street, between Robson and Haro.
For more info contact: [email protected] or call 604-813-2105.
Hotel workers seek gains in HIR negotiations as BC’s hotel industry booms
Local 40 committee members address management during bargaining
Helen Baisa- Housekeeper – Holiday Inn North Van
In the midst of a boom for Metro Vancouver’s tourism industry, UNITE HERE Local 40 has begun negotiations with the 48 hospitality employers that are represented by Hospitality Industrial Relations (HIR).
Over seventy union members attended the first bargaining session at the Holiday Inn Downtown on June 8th. Members representing properties across the Greater Vancouver Area, Victoria, Harrison, and other parts of B.C addressed management during the meeting. They highlighted the need for better wages, benefits, and retirement packages.
Metro Vancouver’s tourism industry surpassed nine million visitors for the first time ever in 2015, and is on track to surpass that this year. According to industry analysts, hotel profits were up 28% in 2015 and are forecast to grow 13% in 2016. Meanwhile, the cost of living continues to skyrocket for workers. Local 40 members look forward to sharing in the industry’s success and hope to see tangible increases to their wages and benefits in this upcoming contract.
During the bargaining session, Helen Baisa, room attendant at the Holiday Inn North Vancouver, spoke about how the rising cost of living is making life increasingly difficult for hotel workers. “Rent, food, all utilities are higher, and we cannot afford to pay them all,” she said, “so we are asking for an increase to our wages.”
Alice Wong, a room attendant from the Empire Landmark Hotel, echoed those sentiments and focused on the need for an improved pension plan. “I have worked at the Empire Landmark Hotel for 41 years. Hopefully, I can be comfortable when I retire.”