Yesterday, Sunday, May 8, 2021, a shooting took place at the Vancouver International Airport that resulted in the death of one person in front of the international terminal on the departures level. An ongoing investigation into the matter has police actively searching for suspects that fleed from the scene.

Our thoughts and concern are with those impacted by this violence. Although early indications point towards a targeted attack on a specific individual, it does nothing to relieve the stress for those caught up in the middle of such a reckless attack with no regard for public safety.

Unifor calls on employers and the airport authority to review critical incident process to ensure worker safety is paramount in such circumstances. Regular communication and risk assessment updates must be shared with workers in the affected groups to help alleviate stress and concern.

Traumatic situations can have long term adverse effects on those impacted by such circumstances. Employers must take swift action to ensure that workers affected have immediate access to counselling and support services. In addition, employers and airport authority should update workers returning to the scene where a violent act occurred, assuring them that the workplace is safe.

Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP) is available to every single WestJetter, including full-time, part-time and casual status employees.

1-800-663-1142 (English)
1-866-398-9505 (French)​​​​​​​
http://www.homeweb.ca

Unifor represents more than 16,000 members working in the air transportation sector, including pilots, customer service representatives, aircraft groomers, catering staff and air traffic controllers.

Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

Billy O'Neill, Unifor
[email protected] | 416-605-1443

Quebec
Ada Zampini, Unifor
[email protected] | 514-701-6227

Prairies
Bruce Fafard, Unifor
[email protected] | 587-341-0945

British Columbia
Simon Lau, Unifor
[email protected] | 778-928-9630

Atlantic
Patrick Murray, Unifor
[email protected] | 506-850-7996