Canada’s west coast shipping ports could be interrupted if the BC Maritimes Employers Association and the International Longshore Workers Union can’t make an agreement next month.
According to the BCMEA, the hearing will address a manning proposal raised by the International Longshore Workers Union Local 514 (ILWU) for DP World Inc, which the BCMEA says is illegal and constitutes the union bargaining in bad faith.
The BCMEA says, a hearing with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) that occurred last week the union’s lawyer would talk to members to consider a strike that has the potential to affect ports on the west coast.
“ILWU Local 514’s legal counsel notified the Parties that the Union would be conducting an industry-wide strike vote, inclusive of all its members, in the coming weeks,” the association says. “Their legal counsel committed that no 72-hour strike notice would be served until the vote is complete.”
The BCMEA says they anticipated the action, especially after the initial vote earlier last month was deemed illegal.
“While regrettable, ILWU Local 514’s decision to proceed with an industry-wide strike vote is predictable, given the CIRB’s July 7, 2024, decision,” they say. “It was deemed the Union’s previous strike notice to DP World (Canada) Inc was illegal.”
The association says this could impact ports, and that they’re still looking to provide a fair settlement that is beneficial to workers and their families, to keep Canada’s economy moving forward.
