Close X
Wednesday, November 6, 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

Police probe clears seven Vancouver officers in beating death of Myles Gray

Police probe clears seven Vancouver officers in beating death of Myles Gray
Seven Vancouver police officers involved in the beating death of Myles Gray nine years ago have been cleared of wrongdoing by a police discipline authority. The Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner said it was reviewing the decision over the 2015 death of Gray, which was classified as a homicide by a coroner's inquest last year.

Police probe clears seven Vancouver officers in beating death of Myles Gray

'Break in the cooling trend': Jobs report tops economists' expectations in September

'Break in the cooling trend': Jobs report tops economists' expectations in September
Statistics Canada reported on Friday that the economy added 47,000 jobs in September, while the unemployment rate declined for the first time since January to 6.5 per cent. The overall job gains followed four consecutive months of little change, the agency said.

'Break in the cooling trend': Jobs report tops economists' expectations in September

Man charged in shooting

Man charged in shooting
Vancouver police say a 28-year-old man has been charged in the shooting death of a man in the Downtown Eastside. Officers say they responded to a call on August 29th after a 43-year-old man was shot and the victim died at the scene. 

Man charged in shooting

Man gets 10 year sentence in triple stabbing

Man gets 10 year sentence in triple stabbing
A Surrey man has been handed a ten-year sentence for a triple stabbing in 2020 that killed his sister-in-law and left his niece and elderly father seriously injured.  The man was convicted of one count of manslaughter and two counts of aggravated assault. 

Man gets 10 year sentence in triple stabbing

Another Canadian reportedly dead in Lebanon amid escalating Israel-Hezbollah conflict

Another Canadian reportedly dead in Lebanon amid escalating Israel-Hezbollah conflict
Global Affairs Canada says it's aware of reports of the death of a Canadian in Lebanon. The department says officials are in contact with the person's family to offer assistance.

Another Canadian reportedly dead in Lebanon amid escalating Israel-Hezbollah conflict

Community engagement launched to address racism faced by South Asian communities

Community engagement launched to address racism faced by South Asian communities
The City of Vancouver has launched a community engagement process to hear from members of South Asian communities about historical discrimination and ongoing racism. Community members are invited to complete an online survey, attend sessions and share their perspectives on the city's website.

Community engagement launched to address racism faced by South Asian communities