As the Canadian Coast Guard continues to pursue its imprudent decisions to close Rescue Centres such as those located in St. John’s, NL, Quebec City and now in Kitsilano, BC, a member of the public shares her story with UCTE about how search and rescue personnel saved her life. 

Dear Vancouver elected officials, my federal MP (Don Davies), MP for Vancouver Centre, union representatives and Canadian Coast Guard members, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper,

Our thoughts and support go out to our brothers and sisters of Local 90916 that work at the St. John’s International Airport who went on strike as of 5:00 a.m. Monday September 11th.

Members have been without a collective agreement since 2009 and are seeking an economic package that will bring them in line with industry standards for comparable international airports. 

September 7, 2012

After a frustrating day of talks facilitated by a federal mediator, the bargaining agent for the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE) Local 90916 served the St. John’s International Airport Authority 72 hours notice of strike action at 5:26pm Friday.  Members are prepared to set up picket lines at 5:00am, Tuesday, September 11. 

ST. JOHN’S, NL - Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada’s Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE) Local 90916 who work at the St. John’s International Airport delivered a 100% mandate in favour of strike action at a meeting Thursday evening.

“The bargaining committee has the full support of the membership,” says UCTE Regional Vice-President Wayne Fagan. “Airport workers are strike-ready.”

The federal government plans to close the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station at the end of the summer, leaving all rescues in Vancouver harbour to the Sea Island Station in Richmond, 17 nautical miles away.

Add your voice to the growing number of elected officials and prominent British Columbians who are in opposition to this decision made without consultation or consideration of the value of the rescue services provided by Kits Station.

More information: www. facebook.com/SaveKitsBase

S.O.S. Kitsilano Coast Guard!