Union rejects deal in BC ports strike, returns to picket lines

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) has rejected a tentative deal to settle its contract dispute with the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA).

The union did not take a strike vote; the deal was rejected by the union’s leadership in a caucus vote.

In a statement the union said it would resume picketing at BC ports on July 18.

“The ILWU Canada Longshore Caucus does not believe the recommendations had the ability to protect our jobs now or into the future. Our position since day one has been to protect our jurisdiction and this position has not changed,” the statement said.

The tentative deal was reached on July 13, 2023, after 13 days of disruption to Canada’s West Coast ports through ILWU’s strike action. This was accomplished through a proposed settlement provided by the senior federal mediator, pursuant to the Minister of Labour’s request under subsection 105 (2) of the Canada Labour Code.

The proposed four-year collective agreement settlement package included hikes in wages and benefits over and above the  approximately 10 percent increase received over the past three years, and generally above the established norm of recent private and public sector union settlements in British Columbia and Canada, the BCMEA said in a statement.

“The tentative settlement also included specific provisions that addressed the union’s concern regarding “contracting out” work and measures to improve training, recruitment and retention of ILWU trades workers now and in the future. Specifically, the BCMEA agreed to provide benefit coverage for all casual trades workers, a tool allowance, and a commitment to increase apprentices in the industry by 15 percent,” the employers association said.

Both the BCMEA and ILWU recommended ratification of the tentative settlement to their respective memberships. The BCMEA ratified the agreement on July 13.

With pickets resuming at 30 BC ports, last week’s efforts to clear backlogs have stalled.

The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade estimates the strikes have disrupted more than 10.3 billion in trade so far. It has published a real-time calculator that shows the effects of the strike on Canada’s trade flows. It estimates $800 million in trade will be disrupted each day.

“In the first 13 days of job action, $9.9 billion in traded goods were affected, causing significant economic harm,” said president and CEO, Bridgitte Anderson.

“We are greatly concerned about the impacts the continuation of the strike will have on Canada’s international reputation as a reliable trade partner. In less than two weeks, business across Canada were facing shortages, temporary layoffs, and, in some cases, total shutdowns. The continuation of the strike will put these businesses at risk again. We are renewing our call for an expedited resolution of this disruption. We need the federal government to be an active participant in finding a resolution to re-open our ports.”