Today, Vancouver Airport Authority and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PASC) announced that Local 20221 members ratified a new four-year collective agreement. The agreement is effective January 2023 through December 2026.
A number of provisions in YVR’s new collective agreement make it the first of its kind in Canada. This includes aligning the traditional seniority-based job protection with reconciliation and ensures that Musqueam Indian Band employees will be retained as part of the Musqueam – YVR Sustainability & Friendship Agreement. This same provision also minimizes the adverse impact of members of other designated groups in the workplace such women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities.
The agreement also recognizes front line employees who worked through the pandemic with significant economic support, which includes increases to extended health benefits, such as a health spending account and mental health provisions, improvements to leave provisions, such as vacation time, and fair general economic increases that will apply consideration to the Consumer Price Index average.
These increases are aligned with the Airport Authority’s certification as a Living Wage Employer—a designation that ensures all its employees are paid at or higher than the specified living wage in British Columbia.
“This negotiated agreement is the result of both parties bargaining in a modern and collaborative way,” said Tamara Vrooman, President & CEO at Vancouver Airport Authority. “Ratifying this agreement is a positive step for our employees and an example of the benefits of progressive, good faith negotiations. We thank the Public Service Alliance of Canada and our union executive for working with us throughout the process.”
“I’m very proud of our bargaining team and the achievement of reaching a tentative agreement with the employer without the need for a labour dispute,” said Devin Glass, President at PSAC, Local 20221. “It is a testament to the trusted and collaborative relationship between the Local and the employer to build upon a great foundation and continue to make improvements to the agreement for our members.”
A foundational element of the negotiation process was a common goal to create an agreement with simplified language that addressed the most meaningful needs of employees and supports the strategic direction of YVR. This collaborative process concluded in an effective way that eliminated the risk of any labour disruption.
The Airport Authority operates Vancouver International Airport / Aéroport international de Vancouver (YVR) in service of the community and the economy that supports it. PSAC Local 20221 represents 500 employees at the Airport Authority.