Close X
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. port employers release details of final offer to foremen union ahead of lockout

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Nov, 2024 10:53 AM
  • B.C. port employers release details of final offer to foremen union ahead of lockout

The BC Maritime Employers Association has released the details of its final offer to the union representing more than 700 foremen ahead of a looming lockout on Monday. 

The offer, which is dated Wednesday and addressed to International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 President Frank Morena, was released publicly on Saturday. 

It includes a 19.2 per cent increase over the four year agreement — which would be from April 2023 until March 31, 2027 — as well as a 16 per cent increase to the retirement benefit. 

It also has a 10 per cent increase to employer contributions to the welfare plan, additional recognized holidays, increased meal and boot allowances, and an average $21,000 lump sum for eligible employees that includes backpay since the contract expired. 

The employers association said in its email to Morena that it has been bargaining with the union for nearly two years to renew the collective agreement that expired in March 2023.

"This prolonged bargaining process with multiple strike votes and an attempted strike in July 2024 has undermined confidence in West Coast port operations," the email said, adding that the offer represents its "sincere commitment to concluding negotiations." 

"The BCMEA’s final offer to the union represents our best effort to settle the dispute and move forward with an agreement that recognizes the skills and efforts of 730 hardworking forepersons and their families, while also ensuring Canada’s West Coast ports remain reliable and stable for the many customers and supply chain partners who conduct business here," it said.

Morena was not immediately available to comment, but previously said workers are "extremely angry" over the employers' refusal to bargain major issues, such as staffing requirements while more automation is introduced at the ports, and the lockout is an "attempt to force the federal government to intervene in the dispute."

In a news release from the employers on Saturday, it said the "final offer provides a fair and reasonable monetary package without seeking concessions from the union." It also accused the union of failing to "meaningfully" consider the offer and opting for a strike notice. 

On Thursday, the union issued the 72-hour notice for job action that will start Monday at 8 a.m. The move then prompted the employers association to issue a formal notice that it will "defensively" lock out members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 starting the same time.

The union accused the employers of missing negotiations on Thursday, the last scheduled day of mediated talks, and also failing to notify others that they would not be participating.

The employers association said its final offer to the union remains open for workers to accept unless it is withdrawn, and the group is prepared to rescind the lockout notice if the union withdraws its strike notice.

There have already been a number of recent disruptions at the Port of Vancouver, Canada's largest port, due to labour unrest. That includes a days-long picketing effort at several grain terminals in September, a work stoppage involving both major Canadian railways in August, and a port worker strike last year that lasted 13 days and froze billions in trade at the docks.

Expanded job action on Thursday at the Port of Montreal also shut down two container terminals, stopping 40 per cent of the container capacity at Canada's second largest port.

MORE National ARTICLES

Housing, health, and plastic straws: Here's how B.C. politicians are wooing voters

Housing, health, and plastic straws: Here's how B.C. politicians are wooing voters
British Columbia's political party leaders have spent the 28-day provincial election campaign wooing voters with promises on critical issues including health care, housing, the cost of living and the environment. Here is a look at some of the top promises made by each major party ahead of election day on Saturday:

Housing, health, and plastic straws: Here's how B.C. politicians are wooing voters

Testy B.C. election campaign sees leaders attacking each other more than policy

Testy B.C. election campaign sees leaders attacking each other more than policy
British Columbia's election campaign enters its final day in what is viewed as a too-close-to-call contest where David Eby's New Democrats and the B.C. Conservatives led by John Rustad debated big issues of housing, health care, affordability and the overdose crisis, but also tangled over plastic straws and a billionaire’s billboards. The two main party leaders spent a lot of time telling voters why they shouldn't vote for the other rather than presenting their own case for support. 

Testy B.C. election campaign sees leaders attacking each other more than policy

House committee to summon RCMP, ministers over allegations of Indian interference

House committee to summon RCMP, ministers over allegations of Indian interference
The head of the RCMP and Canada's ministers of foreign affairs and public safety will be summoned to testify at a House of Commons committee about the bombshell allegations made this week about Indian state-sponsored interference in Canada. The national security committee agreed to call RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme along with Mélanie Joly and Dominic LeBlanc in a special meeting this morning.

House committee to summon RCMP, ministers over allegations of Indian interference

3 arrested in Whalley stabbing

3 arrested in Whalley stabbing
Mounties in Surrey say three people have been arrested in the stabbing of a woman in the Whalley neighbourhood earlier this month. They say the assault happened around 12:30 a-m on October 6th, and the R-C-M-P released photos and videos of the suspects 10 days later. 

3 arrested in Whalley stabbing

Weather warnings issued as atmospheric river approaches B.C. coast

Weather warnings issued as atmospheric river approaches B.C. coast
Environment Canada has issued several rainfall warnings for British Columbia, covering much of Vancouver Island and the coastal regions as the first atmospheric river of the season approaches. It says heavy rain is expected to reach inland sections of the central coast that will intensify throughout the day before peaking this afternoon, bringing up to 70 millimetres.

Weather warnings issued as atmospheric river approaches B.C. coast

Tobacco giants would pay out $32.5 billion to provinces, smokers in proposed deal

Tobacco giants would pay out $32.5 billion to provinces, smokers in proposed deal
The companies — JTI-Macdonald Corp., Rothmans, Benson & Hedges and Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd. — filed a proposed plan of arrangement in an Ontario court today after more than five years of negotiations with their creditors. The companies sought creditor protection in Ontario in early 2019 after they lost an appeal in a landmark court battle in Quebec.

Tobacco giants would pay out $32.5 billion to provinces, smokers in proposed deal