Toronto, July 4, 2023
B.C. port workers with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) walked off the job Saturday morning. Their employer, the B.C. Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA), said that bargaining attempts with a federal mediator had been unsuccessful over the course of three days. Unionized port workers set up picket lines on Canada Day after talks between the ILWU and the BCMEA failed to reach agreement on a new contract. B.C. port workers have been without a contract since the end of March.
On Monday afternoon, the association representing the employers released another statement that said that negotiations had stalled. The BCMEA said that it has gone as far as possible on core issues and its negotiators don’t think that more bargaining will produce a collective agreement.
The effect of the labour disruption at B.C. ports will have a domino effect from Asia to the United States. The automobile, container, breakbulk and project cargo business sectors will take an especially hard hit.
For more information, please call David Lychek, Director – Ocean & Air Services at (905) 882-4880, ext. 1207.
