Labour strife seems to have been averted just as flights to and from the U.S. to Vancouver International Airport are set to almost triple from June numbers.
A YVR spokesperson, Amanda Jarl, said the airport is expecting 286 weekly flights in the month of August travelling to and from various destinations in the U.S., up from 104 weekly flights in June and 183 in July.
But the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), which represents 9,000 border service workers, was threatening work-to-rule measures, which could have caused delays and disruption to travellers going through customs.
Late Friday, however, after three years without a contract, the union reached a tentative agreement with the Treasury Board and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) including wage increases with back pay to 2018 and various benefits.
The new travel rules came into effect late Sunday night (Monday morning eastern time), allowing U.S. citizens and permanent residents to enter Canada if they have had two COVID-19 vaccine doses.
“We’re ready to welcome back passengers and are working with our many partners to deliver a safe and seamless experience when travelling through the airport,” said Jarl in a statement to the Richmond News.
Safety measures in place
Travellers who are partly vaccinated or unvaccinated are only allowed in for essential travel and will be required to quarantine for 14 days.
All travellers have to do a COVID-19 test 72 hours before coming to Canada.
Masks are mandatory at the airport and on all flights.
For more details on what is required, click here.
