International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and Swissport International have reached a labour agreement, resulting in a strike being called off at Vancouver International Airport in British Columbia, Canada.
Recently, the 855 members of IAM Local Lodge 16 issued a strike deadline seeking better wages, wage parity, benefits, pensions, and overall fairness to workers.
IAM Transportation District Lodge 140 general chairperson Todd Haverstock said: 'We came to an agreement with the employer late Saturday evening, with the exception of the baggage service operations wages, which will proceed to binding arbitration.
"This was the merger of two collective agreements into one, the former Servisair and the new Swissport Canada, which made the bargaining process a long tough grind.
The three-year agreement provides wage parity for Swissport Ramp employees, an improved wage scale for aircraft groomers and an enhanced lump sum payment for Servisair Ramp employees.
Under the agreement, the workers will also received enhanced longevity pay and sick time credits.
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By GlobalDataHaverstock added: "We were faced with a potential strike and I thank IAM Grand Lodge Representative Ron Fontaine and IAM Transportation District Lodge 140 President and Directing Chairperson Fred Hospes, for their assistance in turning this into a positive result."
The members of IAM Local Lodge 16 provide ramp and grooming services and are responsible for operating and maintaining the complete baggage belt systems at Vancouver International Airport.