Possibility of Strike Already Impacts B.C. Ports

(Resource News International)

Canada’s busy West Coast ports are already feeling the impact of a possible strike by ship and dock foremen belonging to Local 514 of the International Longshoremen and Warehouse Union (ILWU) of Canada.

Roughly 425 workers at ports in B.C.’s Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and Prince Rupert have voted to strike unless the union, the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and two federally-appointed mediators are able to negotiate new labour contracts.

The union’s latest proposal, made over the weekend, is being considered by the BCMEA, which had promised to respond to the proposal by Friday at the latest.

“Yes, absolutely there has been an impact on the ports,” said Peter Xotta, vice-president of business development for Port Metro Vancouver. Read more here.