The company that locked out a large group of its unionized workers Wednesday at the Vancouver airport said it had no choice but to deny those employees access to their jobs.

HMS Host refused to let a group of 300 employees back to work after they staged a one-day job action outside the facility yesterday.

Members of Unite Here Local 40 voted 90 per cent in favour of strike action Feb. 12, saying weeks of negotiations to increase wages and job security with their employer fell apart.

They say 60 Milestones employees, who will be out of work when the franchise closes after the Olympic Games, were promised jobs at a new White Spot restaurant opening at the airport – but HMS Host has reneged on the offer and everyone is set to be laid off after the Paralympic Games. Some employees have worked at the restaurant for a decade.

In a statement issued to media Wednesday afternoon, HMS Host said it is prepared to allow employees to return to their jobs if the union agrees to postponing job action until the end of the Games.

In the absence of that commitment, the company says the lockout will remain in effect.

"We must attempt to minimize this impact to customer service. Intermittent job action is very disruptive to our customers," the statement said.

Lynn Flandera of Unite Here told ctvbc.ca most of the group are new immigrants who work for low wages.

"Many have to work two jobs to support their families so this hardship is pretty devastating," she said.

"We very much want to get back to work as soon as possible and avoid further disruption but we're not willing to give up our legal right to job action to do that."

Host previously issued a lock-out threat to the union on January 4.

Jim Sinclair, President of the BC Federation of Labour, joined workers on the picket line yesterday. He says HMS Host appeared more interested in provoking a lockout than finding a resolution with employees.

"When the Olympics are over, people still have to make a living. These workers face mass firings because their employer wants to bring in non-union workers to do their jobs. They have to resolve this now -- after the Olympics will be too late."

Vancouver City Councillor Geoff Meggs also joined employees on the picket line. He told ctvbc.ca it's unacceptable that the workers can't secure a long-term job commitment.

"You can't treat workers like some kind of paper towel you wipe your hands with and then throw away," he said, adding most of the striking group is made up of women and new immigrants.

"To have a successful economy in a city that is so dependent on tourism and entertainment, you need a strong and appropriately compensated work force."

The lockout affects 16 restaurants and coffee shops at the airport, including Harvey's, Milestones and several Tim Hortons outlets. The locations accounts for less than half of HMS Host outlets at the airport.

Another 140 non-unionized hospitality facilities, many run by HMS Host, remain open.