Olympic Job Action soon at YVR and downtown Vancouver as Mediator Books out of Negotiations with Hertz Rental Cars

Burnaby, BC – Negotiations between COPE 378 and Hertz Car Rental have broken off and the mediator is booking out leading the way for job action at YVR and elsewhere onto the streets days before the Olympics, said COPE 378 President Andy Ross.

COPE 378 has been in mediation with Hertz since January following a unanimous strike vote by employees at Hertz Rental Cars.

 “Mediation has not moved Hertz from their unreasonable demand that our members lose job security they have through the replacement of full time positions with part time workers and accept zero per cent wage increases,” said COPE 378 President Andy Ross. “Hertz is doing very well locally even without the Olympic windfall profits.   Telling their employees to accept no improvements in job security is something our members will not accept.”

Hertz proposed a zero percent wage increase in the first year despite landing an exclusive ICBC replacement car contract and positive financial projections from Hertz senior executives. 

Starting wages at Hertz for Customer Service Representatives and drivers are $12.44 and $12.86 an hour, respectively.

All other car rental companies on site at YVR are unionized, as are a range of services at YVR. Picket lines will lead to major disruptions across a broad range of airport services. COPE 378 also represents Hertz employees at downtown Vancouver locations which could also see pickets and service disruptions.

“No one wants to shut down services during the Olympics and we have been working extremely hard to avoid this situation by getting Hertz to negotiate a fair agreement,” said Ross. “But we have a very strong mandate from our members and it is obvious the employer is completely unwilling to work with us.”

Hertz is one of the largest car rental companies in the world and has operated for 80 years. COPE 378 has represented employees at Hertz Canada since 1969.

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Contact: Lori Winstanley 778 828 4039 or 604 473 3862