Union issues strike notice in B.C. port contract dispute

UPDATE — Nov. 1, 2024: B.C. port employers issue lockout notice in contract dispute with foremen union

The union representing foremen at British Columbia ports has issued a 72-hour strike notice, according to the association representing its employers.  

The B.C. Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) said Thursday that if the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 514 takes strike action, it would begin on Monday at 8 a.m. PT.

The BCMEA says the escalation came after it presented the union a final offer on Wednesday, which it says will provide ILWU Local 514 members with significant gains in wages and benefits, as well as a signing bonus. 

"The final offer provides a fair agreement without requiring concessions from ILWU Local 514 and covers all matters remaining in dispute," the association said.

ILWU Local 514 confirmed the 72-hour strike notice in its own statement, but said it would include limited job action, with an overtime ban and a refusal to implement tech change. In response to its notice, the union said the employer has now issued a lockout threat, which it says would shut down the ports to a far greater degree.

"ILWU Local 514 members are extremely angry that not only has the BCMEA continuously refused to bargain on the major issues, including manning, but are now threatening to close the entire waterfront with a full-scale lockout in their attempt to force the federal government to intervene in the dispute," ILWU's Frank Morena said in a statement Thursday night.  

CBC News has reached out to the BCMEA for confirmation of its lockout threat. 

The two sides had been negotiating with the help of a federal mediator for the last three days in a bid to avoid a work stoppage that would affect all ports in B.C.

Negotiations began last year after the last contract expired in March 2023

The union, which represents about 700 foremen at the ports, said in September that members voted 96 per cent in favour of authorizing strike action if necessary.

The dispute has been centred around one employer, DP World, and its manpower requirements as it relates to automation.

The union has said it had "no interest in an industry-wide dispute" because it wanted to negotiate with DP World directly, but the Canada Industrial Relations Board said the union can't bargain with one employer alone.

The union said that the ruling prompted members to take an industry-wide vote on a strike mandate. 

The Canada Industrial Relations Board also ruled earlier this month on complaints from both sides alleging negotiating in bad faith, dismissing the union's claim while partly agreeing with the employers' complaint. 

Vancouver's port — the largest in Canada — has seen a number of recent disruptions, including in September when workers set up pickets at six Metro Vancouver grain terminals.

A month before that, port operations were disrupted by work stoppages at both major Canadian railways.

A 13-day port workers strike last year froze billions in trade at the docks.

In a written statement, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade vice-president David van Hemmen said his group is "calling for immediate action by the federal government to intervene" before potential action Monday. 

"We are extremely concerned that this strike could cascade quickly to shutting down the entire West Coast port system," van Hemmen said.

Meanwhile, dockworkers at the Port of Montreal walked off the job Thursday morning, forcing the indefinite shutdown of two container terminals at the country's second-biggest port. The walkout follows a three-day strike at the same two container terminals earlier this month over scheduling.