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Union protest at GM Place tonight

An estimated 500 union members will picket outside General Motors Place tonight, leaving roughly 60 employees inside to run concession stands during the Vancouver Canucks game.

The protesters are members of the Unite Here union, local 40, and are the cashiers, cooks, servers, bartenders and concession workers who run Aramark services at GM Place.

“The workers decided to call a one-day strike today, because we feel Aramark has really stalled at the table,” said union spokesperson Michelle Travis.

Protesting Aramark’s failure to settle on a contract and guarantee job security throughout the 2010 Olympics, the event will draw an expected 500 people, said Travis.

Travis stated that the four main items the union wants included in the contract are extended health care, better wages, job security and respect. The union also has concerns about the 2010 Olympics affecting GM Place employees.

“The question around the Olympics is, are workers going to be guaranteed maximum job opportunities? Are they going to be replaced by volunteers? Are they going to bring in a bunch of temporary workers to work the games, and who is going to have access to the best work available?” Travis said.

Aramark has been in negotiations with the union since December, but union members feel there is not enough in the contract for the employees.

“The company is stalling, we have had lots of negotiations because our contract expired in December but the company is still not doing anything for the workers. We need respect, job security and extended health care,” said Adorcion Kabyn, a GM Place employee for the last 12 years.

Aramark released a statement to their employees concerning contract negotiations that read, “Unfortunately, your union negotiator was not interested in coming to an agreement. Your negotiator refused to put forth a counter proposal and walked away from the table. It takes two sides to bargain for a contract and ARAMARK has been ready, willing and able to work with your bargaining committee to get you the new contract you deserve.”

It continued, “We think that our offer is very fair and rewards and recognizes your hard work and contributions to the company. You should ask yourself if it is worth going on strike and losing a paycheck, when an offer that includes wage increases, more vacation time and job security is still on the table.”

The Vancouver Police Department said they are not worried about the protest causing civil unrest.

“We are used to handling demonstrations. Our purpose here, same as any other demonstration is to make sure we’re here as a neutral person, making sure the peace is kept and people are safe. Our primary concern is traffic control,” said Sergeant Martin Turner.

For the safety of the protesters the inside curb lane in front of GM Place will be closed.

Morgan J. Modjeski is a reporter for The Hook


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