Canadian Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan late Tuesday gave a federal mediator in Vancouver 24 hours to send him recommended terms to end the British Columbia port strike which has now entered its 12th day. The docker union and maritime employers will then be given 24 hours to decide whether they accept eventual ratification.
Latest vessel traffic data shows 10 container vessels at anchor waiting to be unloaded at the Port of Vancouver and four outside the Port of Prince Rupert. A coalition of business groups has been urging the federal government to intervene through back-to-work legislation. “With 32 consecutive shifts lost, on day 11 of ILWU Canada strike action, there has been estimated $8.6 billion in cargo disrupted,” declared the BC Maritime Employers Association.
Mr. O’Regan asserted that a good deal was “within reach” for the docker union and maritime employers after more than a week of negotiations to end the strike that began on July first.
“After 11 days of a work stoppage, I have decided that the difference between the employer’s and the union’s position is not sufficient to justify a continued work stoppage,” he stated.
“Once I have received the terms of settlement, I will forward them to the parties, and they will have 24 hours to decide whether or not to recommend ratification of the terms to their principals,” he added.
The 7,400 dock workers represented by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Canada walked off the job on July 1 after failing to conclude a new collective agreement with the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA). Main issues include port automation, wage increases aligned to the cost of living amidst high inflation and outside maintenance contracting.
(Photo from ILWU Canada)
