In both 2023 and 2024, Skytrax’s annual World Airport Awards recognized YVR as the cleanest airport in North America.
But if the cleanliness and tidiness of the terminal facilities at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) have seemed a bit off over the past week, there’s a reason for it — beyond the fact that this is one of the busiest times of the year for travel.
On Friday, December 20, those responsible for day-to-day cleanliness at the terminal building walked off the job, escalating a labour dispute that had been building up since early this fall, when their previous contract expired.
These 233 janitors clean nearly the entire airport, including the terminals, washrooms, hallways, exterior, YVR operations, and before and beyond security checkpoints.
However, this morning, SEIU Local 2, the union representing YVR’s janitors, announced that a tentative agreement had been reached with the employer, Alpine Building Maintenance.
As a result of this tentative agreement, the union’s plans to further escalate the strike today, Christmas Eve, December 24, have been cancelled. Details of the tentative agreement will be shared after it is presented to and voted on by the union’s membership.
Striking janitors at Vancouver International Airport, December 2024. (SEIU Local 2)
Ahead of the strike, the union indicated that it was seeking an increased wage of $25 per hour, as well as improved retirement security beyond the Canadian Pension Plan and Old Age Security.
They also highlighted that food service workers at YVR signed a new contract earlier this fall, which guarantees all workers with at least five years of service $25 per hour and establishes a pathway for employees with less service to reach $25 per hour by October 2025.
However, workers for YVR’s jet fuel operations have remained on strike since earlier this month. Vancouver Airport Authority has indicated there has been no disruption in their jet fuel supply to date.