Unionized airline catering workers rallied for better pay outside their employer's Richmond office on Thursday afternoon.
More than 75 workers and community allies picketed and rallied for Gate Gourmet -- a global provider of airline catering services -- to increase wages in response to record-high inflation and the cost of living after their collective agreement expired July 31st.
Unite Here Local 40 represents the airline catering workers employed by Gate Gourmet and serves dozens of airlines at Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
Workers felt "proud and excited" to be standing up for a "better life for themselves" and their families, according to Mike Biskar, spokesperson for Unite Here Local 40.
Rolando Gonzales, a Gate Gourmet Warewash worker and bargaining committee member said workers are "overworked and underpaid."
“We are overworked and underpaid," said Gonzales.
"We did a 3-week overtime ban (Aug. 1 to 22) and are prepared to take more action if necessary.”
A proposal was sent to management by the union but was left unanswered for nine days.
Union members are now discussing what escalating actions they can take following Thursday's rally.
