YVR-20230621-21
YVR-20230621-21
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19
April
2024
|
10:20
America/Los_Angeles

Statement from the Vancouver Airport Authority regarding its Living Wage Policy and UNITE HERE Local 40 negotiations with SSP Canada

Key Facts

  • The Vancouver Airport Authority is among the largest certified Living Wage Employers in British Columbia, as certified by Living Wage for Families BC.
  • As a certified Living Wage Employer, the Airport Authority pays its more than 900 workers at or above the designated living wage for Metro Vancouver and must ensure its direct service providers, such as janitorial and operational services, also pay their employees at the airport a living wage, which represents an additional 1600 workers.
  • In addition to the Airport Authority, more than 550 businesses operate at the airport and across Sea Island.
  • UNITE HERE Local 40 is currently in collective bargaining with SSP Canada, which leases space from the airport to operate several food and beverage outlets.
  • The Airport Authority has absolutely no role in these negotiations, which are strictly between the union and the employer. We encourage both parties to continue the bargaining process.
  • The Airport Authority has been a consistent advocate for paying a living wage and continues to collaborate with Living Wage for Families BC to deliver living wage briefing sessions to businesses and labour groups on Sea Island.

Statement

There are approximately 550 businesses across Sea Island and the airport community. While the Airport Authority is a proud Living Wage supporter, it has no role in any collective bargaining negotiations between these businesses and their respective employees.  

In 2022, the Vancouver Airport Authority, working in tandem with the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the union which represents its employees, was certified as a Living Wage employer by Living Wage for Families BC, becoming the first airport operator in Canada to be certified as a Living Wage Employer, and has since maintained this designation with Living Wage for Families BC.

As a certified Living Wage Employer, the Airport Authority pays its more than 900 employees at or above the designated living wage for Metro Vancouver, as established by Living Wage for Families BC.

As required by the detailed certification criteria, the Airport Authority must also ensure businesses that provide direct contracted services to the Authority, such as the staff that clean the terminal, provide building security, collect and manage baggage carts, provide traffic management and construction services, also pay a living wage to their employees at the airport.  This represents approximately 80 companies and an additional 1600 workers. 

“We are proud to be one of the largest certified Living Wage Employers in British Columbia. Our commitment to the program is unwavering,” said Richard Beed, Vice President, People & Culture at Vancouver Airport Authority. “We know many businesses at the airport pay a living wage and some do not. The decision to do so is up to each organization. We have been very clear about our Living Wage Policy, the comprehensive review process an organization must complete in order to be successfully certified by Living Wage for Families BC, and why adopting a living wage makes good business sense.”

In May, the Airport Authority and Living Wage for Families BC will be hosting seminars for employers operating on Sea Island to learn about the process and benefits of becoming a Living Wage Employer. Similar briefings are being offered to labour organizations.  

Visit www.YVR.ca/livingwage for more information about the Airport Authority’s Living Wage Policy.