(This story has been updated since it was first posted Oct. 3.)
Talks between B.C. Place Stadium and unionized workers are set to resume in mid-October after the B.C. Government and Service Employees Union voted 89 percent to strike.
Results were announced Monday, but the turnout was not disclosed. Around 600 ushers, first aid, maintenance and skilled trades workers were eligible to cast ballots over four days last week. Results were announced Monday, but the turnout was not disclosed. Local 1703 represents 23 full-time and 16 part-time workers, said BCGEU spokeswoman Karen Tankard. The rest are on-call event staff.
We want to use this strong strike mandate as leverage, Tankard said. We hope they know now our members are serious about getting a fair collective agreement.
B.C. Pavilion Corporation chief executive Warren Buckley did not respond to an interview request, but PavCo issued a prepared statement late Monday afternoon, claiming ongoing mediation and negotiations will result in an agreement.
As negotiations are ongoing, PavCo will not be providing further comment, said the statement.
B.C. Place general manager Howard Crosleys Sept. 27 memo failed to encourage workers to vote against a strike. He claimed a yes vote would put the Nov. 27 Grey Cup in jeopardy. The B.C. government paid the Canadian Football League $1.88 million to host the 99th Grey Cup.
We have no comment on the labour situation and would direct you to discuss that with PavCo, said CFL spokesman Jamie Dykstra via email. We continue to look forward to a successful 99th Grey Cup in Vancouver.
BCGEU also represents food and beverage workers employed by PavCo contractor Centerplate. Numerous B.C. Lions fans complained of long lineups and short supplies at Fridays reopening. The customer service problems were a symptom of the stadiums frantic rush to meet the deadline to reopen after encountering various construction challenges.
Centerplate only got access to the building two days before opening, Tankard said. We understand that doesnt give them a lot of time to bring people in, to train them, to give people the chance to learn the ropes. The fact there was chaos on Friday night probably is understandable.
The next scheduled B.C. Place event is Thursdays Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Whitecaps match with Real Salt Lake. Whitecaps chief executive Paul Barber said its business as usual for the club, which will host its first night-time Major League Soccer game downtown after losing Sundays debut 1-0 to the Portland Timbers.
If renewed talks fail and picket lines are erected at B.C. Place, the Whitecaps and Lions could return to Empire Field.
Nussli Special Events (Canada) head of stadium construction Florian Weber told the Courier that the temporary stadium remains functional and its removal could be delayed until the new year.
It's like a rental car, you decide when you bring it back, Weber said. It's a rental stadium, if they need an extension or want to stay longer in there, it's up to them.
Meanwhile, a B.C. Place neighbour said the area isnt getting quieter, despite construction winding down.
The noise from events is louder, as the acoustics are differentworsefor neighbours than it was before, said Hub Figuiere, who lives at Smithe and Beatty streets. Also there seems to be a permanent waste of energy by lighting up the whole neighborhood with the stadium.
The Hampton Inn is bathed directly by bright light from the advertising video board at Terry Fox Plaza. Front desk manager Clint Banda said guests have yet to complain.
All of our rooms do have a blackout curtain which keeps all the light out, if guests do have an issue with intensity of lights, Banda said.
