Union representing foremen at B.C. ports plans strike vote

A union representing foremen at British Columbia's ports says it is being forced to take an industry-wide strike vote after one employer refused to bargain about automation issues directly, and it also wants the courts to weigh in. 

A statement from Frank Morena, the president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 514, says the union repeatedly tried to negotiate with DP World Canada about automation, but the company refuses and instead hopes for government intervention on its behalf. 

ILWU Local 514 had previously issued a 72-hour strike notice against the employer earlier this month.

But before the strike could take affect, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) determined the union did not bargain in good faith and directed the union to take back its notice.

The ILWU Local 514 statement also says the union is going to court seeking a judicial review of the CIRB decision that determined the union can't bargain with DP World alone, saying it doesn't believe the board is correctly interpreting the law. 

The new statement says the union has "no interest in an industry-wide dispute as a result of just one employer that won't bargain" on an issue critical to its members. 

Labour professors had previously said that the dispute over automation was likely to reignite at B.C.'s ports following the CIRB ruling on the strike vote earlier in July.

CBC News reached out to DP World Canada for comment regarding the union's plan for a strike vote, but the company redirected the request to the B.C. Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA).

The association sent a statement to CBC News saying that it's disappointed with the union's latest position.

The BCMEA represents around 49 waterfront employers, including DP World Canada. 

The association also says, despite the uncertainty, the association is committed to reaching an agreement with the 730 foremen, while also ensuring West Coast ports remain reliable, competitive and affordable.