Locked out airport workers reach agreement

A large group of food service workers locked out by their employer at Vancouver's airport is headed back to work after reaching a tentative agreement.

A total of 283 food, beverage and retail employees from Unite Here Local 40 were locked out of the facility by HMSHost after staging a one-day strike Feb. 17. The group represents unionized workers at 16 restaurants and coffee shops as well as two warehouses at the airport.

Employees said they had no choice but to stage a job action after weeks of negotiations with the US-based company fell apart.

The union was asking for increased job security and better wages after the company announced it would not protect the jobs of 60 people who will be laid off after a Milestone franchise closes after the Olympics Games. Some employees have worked at the restaurant for a decade. A White Spot restaurant will open in the same location.

The union reached a tentative settlement with HMSHost late last night.

Union spokesperson Michelle Travis said the agreement took two days of tough bargaining but the group feels it has made some headway.

"The bargaining committee feels very positive about where we're headed," Travis told ctvbc.ca.

In an emailed statement, HMSHost said all impacted service locations are reopened to the public.

"Now, we can all turn our attention to the important matter at hand - providing a warm send-off for travelers departing from the 2010 Winter Olympic Games," wrote spokesperson Daryl Hrynkiw.

The company was asking for workers to delay strike action until the end of the 2010 Games to avoid disrupting visitors.

No details of the agreement have been made public. The union expects the deal to be ratified Friday.