Labour Peace Secured with B.C. Port Workers; Truckers Still Negotiating

(Canadian Transportation & Logistics)

Labour peace has been achieved between the B.C. Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 514, after a tentative agreement reached last month was signed by both parties.

“Representatives from the BCMEA and ILWU Local 514 met (on Friday), confirming their respective memberships have ratified the collective agreement in effect between April 01, 2007 and March 31, 2010,” said Greg Vurdela, vice-president marketing and information services, BCMEA.

The 450 ship and dock foremen with ILWU have been without a contract since March 31, 2007. There has been no comment by ILWU Local 514 during the negotiation process, or since the ratification vote. According to BCMEA, the main issue has been the cost of the contract.

However, labour peace has not yet been fully realized at Vancouver ports. Unionized truckers who haul freight at the Port of Vancouver have been without a contract since December 31, 2008, and negotiations have not been smooth. Read more here.