the airport claims they have a backup option, but I don't know what it is. maybe they'll put managers in as security. lol


http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/n...0f1cd3&k=34235


Security guards at the Vancouver International Airport are poised to take strike action next week, at a time when demand for security is reaching an all-time high.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which represents the employees of Securiguard Services Limited, will give 72-hour strike notice later this week, the IAMAW's general chairman Mike Clegg said in an interview.

That means the 250 employees who are responsible for all security -- with the exception of pre-board screening -- could be off the job as early as next Tuesday.

It is unlikely that pre-board screeners, who are members of the same IAMAW lodge or local, would cross a picket line, Clegg said. Nor would other IAMAW members, which make up almost 90 per cent of airport personnel, he said.

"I would look at this as a complete shutdown of the airport," Clegg said.

The strike threat by security guards comes on the heels of the largest security scare since 9/11, with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issuing its first-ever "Code Red" alert after 24 suspects were arrested by British police in connection with an alleged plot to set off multiple explosions on airplanes bound for the U.S.

But Paul Levy, vice-president of airport operations at YVR, said the airport will continue to operate safely.

"We certainly have contingency plans in place to ensure that we can continue to operate in a safe and secure manner and I'm confident that will happen," Levy said.

"And for the passengers travelling through this airport they can be assured that they will continue to be able to get on their aircraft and fly from this airport.

There have been strikes in the past, he added, and the airport continued to operate.

Richard Longpre, who has been hired by Securiguard to negotiate with the union on the company's behalf, would like to see the federal government step in and ask the Canada Labour Relations Board to declare the security at the airport an essential service.

"If it doesn't [get declared an essential service] then it's going to be a very interesting set of circumstances to have the security system at the airport disrupted," he said.

Given the current circumstances, the Canada Labour Relations Board should at least consider declaring the work essential, he said.

"We certainly think that the [federal] Minister [of Labour] should have the labour relations board take a look at it," Longpre said. "The labour relations board may decide it's not an essential service but given the nature of the work I'm pretty sure that some of it would be essential."

The Securiguard employees were certified in March after a one-year certification battle and have been trying to negotiate their first collective agreement since then. The biggest issue is better working conditions including hours of work, breaks and scheduling, Clegg said.

The union voted 98 per cent in favour of taking strike action two weeks ago.