As YVR fuel delivery workers strike, B.C. labour group declares cargo 'hot'

FILE: A sunset is seen over Vancouver International Airport in an undated image.

One week into a strike involving fuel delivery workers at the Vancouver airport, the B.C. Federation of Labour has declared employer SGS Canada's fuel cargo "hot."

With the declaration, BCFED urges all members, affiliates and supporters to "refuse to handle this cargo until the labour dispute is resolved," the organization said in a news release Friday.

"This is an extraordinary step, and we don’t take it lightly," said BCFED president Sussanne Skidmore, in the release.

"A hot edict sends a clear message to SGS Canada that it’s time to get serious about reaching a fair deal for these workers."

The 11 striking employees – who transport fuel from the South Fraser Marine Terminal in Richmond to tank farms at Vancouver International Airport – joined the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 502, and have been bargaining for their first collective agreement since June.

They walked off the job on Dec. 12.

It's unclear whether BCFED's "hot" declaration will have a noticeable impact on airport operations. CTV News has reached out to FSM, the organization that oversees fuel delivery at YVR, for comment.

The Vancouver Airport Authority previously told CTV News that FSM did not anticipate issues as a result of the strike, due to overall capacity in the supply chain.

The fuel transported by SGS Canada only represents "a portion" of that used by aircraft at the airport, officials said.

BCFED also noted that its edict "does not prevent any employee from performing work which is immediately necessary for safety and environmental protection."