Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. port strike could end pending approval of terms set by federal mediator

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 Jul, 2023 09:43 AM
  • B.C. port strike could end pending approval of terms set by federal mediator

Business and government are responding favourably to a possible breakthrough in the 12-day strike that has shut down all ports along the British Columbia coast.

Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan has given a federal mediator 24 hours to send him recommendations to end the dispute between the BC Maritime Employers Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada.

O'Regan will forward the recommendations to the two sides and says they'll have a further 24 hours to decide whether to ratify them.

A statement from Perrin Beatty, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, says his organization welcomes the federal government's action.

Alberta premier Danielle Smith said in a tweet Tuesday night that she appreciates O'Regan's efforts to end the strike and hopes for a resolution within 48 hours.

The union and employers association have not commented on the minister's intervention, although the association confirmed the notice from O'Regan's office arrived late Tuesday afternoon, potentially starting the 24-hour clock.

About 7,400 dock workers have been on strike since July 1, halting cargo in and out of more than 30 ports in B.C., including Vancouver, Canada's busiest port.

Pickets remained at B.C. ports Wednesday and, although Beatty's statement expressed approval of O'Regan's action, it was also terse.

"We have been calling for immediate intervention from the federal government and urge them to ensure they pursue a course of action that brings an end to this strike as swiftly as possible, preventing further impacts on Canadian families, Canadian businesses, and the Canadian economy," Beatty said in the release.

The call for recommendations from the federal mediator brought a stern reaction from the United Truckers Association.

"The UTA is warning the federal government of potential escalation of disruption should they consider any kind of imposition of settlement," the association said in a news release.

Spokesman Gagan Singh said the association's members "continue to suffer" from what he called the failure of the federal government to fulfil the commitments of an imposed settlement in 2014 and he warned O'Regan "not to make the same mistake."

O'Regan ordered the federal mediator to submit recommendations, saying the gap between the positions of the BC Maritime Employers Association and the longshore union is "not sufficient to justify a continued work stoppage.''

A good deal is "within reach" for both the union and the BC Maritime Employers Association, he said, adding it was in the interests of all sides that an agreement is reached as soon as possible.

"The scale of this disruption shows how important the relationship between the BCMEA and the ILWU is to our national interest," O'Regan said in the statement shared on Twitter.

"We cannot allow this work stoppage to persist and risk further damage to the relationship between these parties."

The union has said key issues include improved wages, jurisdiction over maintenance and protections against contracting out and automation.

MORE National ARTICLES

Trudeau announces child-care infrastructure funding to build more spaces

Trudeau announces child-care infrastructure funding to build more spaces
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced $625 million of funding to help provinces and territories build child-care infrastructure.  Trudeau says the money will be rolled out over four years and will help providers renovate, retrofit and build new not-for-profit and public child-care facilities.   

Trudeau announces child-care infrastructure funding to build more spaces

Think you could pass the citizenship test? Poll shows most Canadians would flunk

Think you could pass the citizenship test? Poll shows most Canadians would flunk
In a survey of 1,512 Canadian adults, Leger found that only 23 per cent would pass the citizenship test, based on their answers to 10 randomly selected questions. People who wish to become Canadian need to answer 20 questions about citizens' rights and responsibilities, as well as Canada's history, geography, economy, government, laws and symbols.

Think you could pass the citizenship test? Poll shows most Canadians would flunk

Canadian wildfires send smoke south, triggering air quality warnings

Canadian wildfires send smoke south, triggering air quality warnings
Canadian wildfires are continuing to send heavy clouds of smoke south, from Northern Ontario and Quebec, through both provinces and into the United States. Environment Canada has issued special air quality statements for large areas of Ontario and Quebec warning of high levels of air pollution due to the smoke.

Canadian wildfires send smoke south, triggering air quality warnings

Canada welcomes largest number of immigrants in first quarter since at least 1972

Canada welcomes largest number of immigrants in first quarter since at least 1972
Statistics Canada says the country welcomed more than 145,000 immigrants during the first three months of the year. That's the highest number for a single quarter on record, since comparable data became available in 1972.

Canada welcomes largest number of immigrants in first quarter since at least 1972

B.C. port union issues 72-hour strike notice affecting 7,400 workers

B.C. port union issues 72-hour strike notice affecting 7,400 workers
The union representing port workers in British Columbia says it has issued 72-hour strike notice and its members are ready to walk off the job on Saturday. The strike notice affects about 7,400 terminal cargo loaders and 49 of the province's waterfront employers in more than 30 B.C. ports.

B.C. port union issues 72-hour strike notice affecting 7,400 workers

Surrey RCMP need the public's help in locating missing female Navjot Baring

Surrey RCMP need the public's help in locating missing female Navjot Baring
UPDATE: The Surrey RCMP is pleased to confirm that the 22-year-old female who was reported missing on June 27, 2023 has been located.  

Surrey RCMP need the public's help in locating missing female Navjot Baring