Workers who deliver jet fuel to YVR have walked off the job

The workers responsible for getting jet fuel to Vancouver International Airport say they have walked off the job as of 6 p.m. Thursday.

The workers are members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 502, which represents longshore workers on the Fraser River.

They are employed by SGS Canada and work to upload the jet fuel from deepsea vessels to transport it to YVR. Last week, the union said any strike action could affect the delivery of jet fuel.

Al Reason, president of the ILWU Local 502, says they had been bargaining with their employer, but this broke down Thursday afternoon.

“We recognize we’re just basically bargaining against ourselves, so workers decided to pull the plug and walk off the job,” he said.

Reason says the workers should be seen as longshore workers and be treated as such.

“They tie up the ships, they discharge the ships, they store the cargo, they ship the cargo out, no different than any other dock worker across North America, and we’re looking for parity, or close to it,” he said.

1130 NewsRadio has reached out to SGS Canada for comment.

With files from Renee Bernard.