Thousands of unionized dock workers in BC begin strike

VANCOUVER – Dock workers in British Columbia formally went on strike Saturday after negotiations, backed by federal mediators, failed to reach a deal to keep more than 7,000 workers employed.

The BC Maritime Employers Association issued a statement saying that talks were held with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada throughout the night, but negotiators were unable to reach an agreement and workers left work in the morning.

“Over the course of the past few days, the BCMEA has continued to submit proposals and positions in good faith, with the aim of reaching a fair deal at the table,” the statement said. “Our negotiating committee has repeatedly made efforts to be flexible and compromise on key priorities, but unfortunately the parties have yet to succeed in reaching a settlement.”

The union filed a 72-hour strike notice on Wednesday, but was not immediately available for comment on Saturday.

Federal Labor Secretary Seamus O’Regan said on Saturday that the parties continue to negotiate, adding that “the best deals for both sides will be reached at the table.”

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business said it was “deeply concerned” about the strike action and urged all parties involved to strike a deal “as soon as possible”.

Cargo containers will be unloaded from the Maersk Stockholm vessel by gantry cranes on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 while it is docked in the Port of Vancouver. ready to walk off work Saturday.

“A strike can have serious consequences for our economy and our small businesses. Port operations must remain flexible so as not to exacerbate supply chain disruptions and put further pressure on costs, at a time when we are still facing high inflation,” the federation said on Saturday. “It’s important to remember that strike-related delays can be costly to small businesses, which can lose business as a result.”

The strike affects about 7,400 terminal freight loaders and 49 of the county’s waterfront employers in more than 30 BC ports.

At the beginning of June, 99.24 percent of union members voted in favor of strikes0.

The ILWU has not provided a 72-hour strike notice on June 21, the earliest possible date for such action after receiving the authorization vote from its members.

That message came instead on June 28, when the ILWU issued a statement at the time accusing the employers’ association of demanding “major concessions” from the union despite “record profits during the COVID-19 pandemic.” The strike came nearly three months after the last contract expired on March 30.

The union also said it was trying to protect its members from the “erosion” of work that comes from remote contract workers and port automation.

The association represents 49 private sector employers operating in BC’s ports, and its website states that the industry contributes $2.7 billion to Canada’s GDP and about 16 percent of the country’s total traded goods. country, amounting to $180 billion in 2020.

On Friday, both the union and the employer confirmed that the strike would not affect cruise ships docked in Vancouver, Prince Rupert or Vancouver Island.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on July 1, 2023.

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