Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. port union to recommend settlement agreement to its members

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Jul, 2023 03:55 PM
  • B.C. port union to recommend settlement agreement to its members

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada said it will meet next week to recommend the terms of a settlement deal to its membership, possibly bringing labour peace to British Columbia's ports. 

The BC Maritime Employers Association said Friday the agreement to be presented to workers is the same one the union's caucus rejected just days ago.

In a statement, the association said the deal is the proposal reached with a federal mediator and was originally agreed to by both sides on July 13.

"The tentative agreement presented is the result of months of negotiations and mediation," the association statement said, adding that employers are "hopeful" the union's membership will fully ratify it when a vote is held, possibly late next week.

Workers shut down provincial port facilities for 13 days earlier this month, then returned to work only to walk off the job again briefly on Tuesday when the union's caucus rejected the mediated agreement. 

Union president Rob Ashton said in a written statement that members will take the 8 a.m. shift off next Tuesday for the meeting where the deal will be presented.

News of a possible agreement broke late Thursday as the union's Local 502 said on its website that the union would hold an "emergency contract caucus" Friday to decide if the deal would be sent to a full-membership vote for ratification or rejection. 

The two sides had been negotiating a new collective agreement since March but reached an impasse despite the aid of a federal mediator, triggering the strike from July 1 to July 13.

The job action by about 7,400 workers froze billions of dollars' worth of goods at Canada's key West Coast import and export points.

In a tweet sent moments after the union announcement, federal Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan thanked the union for sending the terms of the agreement to a vote.

The announcement capped a tumultuous week in the dispute, with the union's rejection of the agreement, an hours-long strike on Tuesday and then a decision from the Canada Industrial Relations Board that said the job action was illegal. 

Workers went back to the job while the union issued 72-hour notice planned for Saturday, only to rescind it hours later. 

The turbulent turn of events has left industry groups hesitant to express optimism in the union's latest announcement.

The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade paused its port shutdown calculator Friday that estimated the cost of disruptions, but declined to comment until after the union membership's vote.

The Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters said in a news release that it is cautious in its optimism that the dispute has been resolved, as the original 13-day strike damaged Canada's global reputation "as a reliable place to do business."

"We are closely watching the situation and remain hopeful for a successful resolution," the group's president Dennis Darby said. "However, manufacturers and our economy cannot continue to withstand these disruptions that are severely impacting our sector."

Darby also said the federal government needs to consider introducing measures to prevent similar events from happening again.

The dispute, which disrupted operations at Canada's largest port in Vancouver, triggered vocal responses from both political and business leaders across Canada, with some, including Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, calling for back-to-work legislation.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convened an incident response group over the uncertainty at B.C. ports, saying it was unacceptable that the union rejected the tentative deal that had been agreed to by negotiators on both sides.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Surrey shooting leaves one dead

Surrey shooting leaves one dead
On Sunday at approximately 5:07 p.m., Surrey RCMP responded to a shooting in an alleyway north of 96 Avenue and 130 Street that has left one man deceased. Police are investigating whether a burnt out vehicle located a short time later in the area of 8200-block of 151A Street is connected to the homicide.  

Surrey shooting leaves one dead

Impasse at strikebound B.C. ports not broken by Saturday's round of negotiations

Impasse at strikebound B.C. ports not broken by Saturday's round of negotiations
Hundreds of supporters showed up to a rally in Vancouver backing striking B-C port workers. Speakers from as far away as Australia and New Zealand offered support for the thousands of workers who have been off the job since Canada Day.

Impasse at strikebound B.C. ports not broken by Saturday's round of negotiations

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds brief meeting with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds brief meeting with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed carbon emissions and the strike by B.C. port workers during a brief meeting Friday with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Both leaders were in town for the first day of the Calgary Stampede, a 10-day celebration of western culture that features a parade, rodeo events, pancake breakfasts and concerts. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds brief meeting with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith

B.C. RCMP announce corruption, drug trafficking charges against former constable

B.C. RCMP announce corruption, drug trafficking charges against former constable
The B.C. RCMP says a former probationary constable at the force's Surrey detachment has been charged with multiple offences after a months-long corruption investigation. Mounties say the ex-constable, Const. Dawwd (Daoud) Soukary, faces 13 charges related to drug trafficking, breach of trust, theft, cannabis distribution and conspiracy to commit robbery.

B.C. RCMP announce corruption, drug trafficking charges against former constable

U.S. trade envoy presses Canada on digital services tax, home shopping obligations

U.S. trade envoy presses Canada on digital services tax, home shopping obligations
Canada, the United States and Mexico wrapped up a two-day status report on their shared continental trade agreement Friday as the deal that replaced NAFTA passed its three-year anniversary. There are three more years to go before a required review in 2026 that has the potential to scuttle the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, but International Trade Minister Mary Ng doesn't sound worried. 

U.S. trade envoy presses Canada on digital services tax, home shopping obligations

B.C. mass-stabbing killer apologizes to victims, cites 'enormous' drug use

B.C. mass-stabbing killer apologizes to victims, cites 'enormous' drug use
Yannick Bandaogo read his statement in French in a quiet, sometimes shaking voice, and said his addiction to crystal meth played a role in altering his mental health and behaviour. Bandaogo, 30, pleaded guilty this year to second-degree murder, several charges of attempted murder and one count of aggravated assault over the attack.

B.C. mass-stabbing killer apologizes to victims, cites 'enormous' drug use