Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 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

Rotors collided in helicopter crash

Rotors collided in helicopter crash
Canada's Transportation Safety Board says the fatal crash of a British Columbia logging helicopter was caused when the chopper's rotor system broke up mid-flight. A final report from the board says that on Oct. 4, 2021, the pilot of the Kaman K-1200 dropped off a load of logs into Jervis Inlet on B.C.'s south coast, turned around to pick up another load, then crashed into the water and sank.

Rotors collided in helicopter crash

Global Affairs won't confirm reports Canadian dead in Russia was foreign fighter

Global Affairs won't confirm reports Canadian dead in Russia was foreign fighter
Global Affairs Canada says it is aware of the death of a Canadian citizen in Russia. But the department won't confirm reports the Canadian was among four foreign fighters who had crossed into Russia to fight for Ukraine.

Global Affairs won't confirm reports Canadian dead in Russia was foreign fighter

Foreign affairs minister seeks support for plan to return deported Ukrainian children

Foreign affairs minister seeks support for plan to return deported Ukrainian children
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says she hopes countries from around the world will support a plan to bring back Ukrainian children who have been deported to Russia since the war in Ukraine began nearly three years ago. Joly urged more than 60 delegations attending a ministerial conference in Montreal on Wednesday to make a “strong pledge” to ensure children and other Ukrainian civilians are returned home. 

Foreign affairs minister seeks support for plan to return deported Ukrainian children

Liberals look to move past leadership drama with eye on next campaign

Liberals look to move past leadership drama with eye on next campaign
Longtime Liberal operative Andrew Bevan was named the new national campaign director two weeks ago and made his first presentation to the full caucus during the weekly meeting. The next election must be held by Oct. 20, 2025, but it could come much sooner. The Conservatives and Bloc Québécois have pledged to try to bring down the minority government this fall.

Liberals look to move past leadership drama with eye on next campaign

PM says he's trying to get Poilievre names of Tories linked to foreign interference

PM says he's trying to get Poilievre names of Tories linked to foreign interference
Earlier this month, Trudeau told a public inquiry that he has been given the names of past and present Conservative parliamentarians and candidates who are linked to foreign interference. Trudeau said members from other parties, including the Liberals, have also been flagged.

PM says he's trying to get Poilievre names of Tories linked to foreign interference

B.C. judge halts the medically assisted death of Alberta woman

B.C. judge halts the medically assisted death of Alberta woman
A British Columbia judge has granted an injunction stopping a woman's medically assisted death, the day before it was scheduled to take place in Vancouver.  The injunction granted on Saturday to the woman's common-law partner prevents Dr. Ellen Wiebe or any other medical professional from helping end the life of the 53-year-old Alberta woman within 30 days.

B.C. judge halts the medically assisted death of Alberta woman