Employers and union reach deal in BC ports strike

The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Canada announced on July 13 that they reached an agreement to end the almost two-week long strike at 30 BC ports.

The agreement is for a tentative agreement on a new four-year deal..

The tentative agreement is subject to ratification by both the BCMEA and ILWU. They did not release details of the agreement .

The BCMEA said in a statement that they are working with the union to get affected West Coast ports back to work as quickly as possible. These include the port of Vancouver and Prince Rupert. two of Canada’s key import and export trade gateways.

The BCMEA expressed thanks for the help received from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service officers and the Minister of Labour, Seamus O’Regan Jr., throughout the process. They also thanked federal mediator Peter Simpson and his team, who were instrumental in achieving a tentative agreement.

“The BCMEA recognizes and regrets the significant impact this labour disruption has had on the economy, businesses, workers, customers and ultimately, all Canadians,” the association said in a statement. “We must collectively work together to not only restore cargo operations as quickly and safely as possible but to also rebuild the reputation of Canada’s largest gateway and ensure supply chain stability and resilience for the future”