The workers responsible for getting jet fuel to Vancouver International Airport are poised to walk off the job Tuesday morning.
The workers are members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 502. They are employed by SGS Canada and work to upload jet fuel from deepsea vessels to transport it to YVR.
“The Union will commence strike action against SGS Canada on December 10, 2024, commencing at or about 0001 hours,” the ILWU said in a news release.
“Any strike action may affect the delivery of Jet Fuel to YVR.”
ILWU Canada president Rob Ashton says the affected employees are frustrated by several things.
“This is a first contract, and it’s been a hard go,” he said.
“The wage is a big issue there currently, most, almost all the workers there have to work two jobs just to be able to live in Vancouver.”
According to Ashton, higher management personnel at the company are refusing to come to Vancouver to hammer out a deal.
“The union’s been available every single day, but the management for SGS is refusing to come out of Toronto to sit down and negotiate with them enough to get a deal,” he said.
The ILWU Local 502 represents longshore workers on the Fraser River.
1130 NewsRadio has reached out to SGS Canada for comment.