Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
National

Further negotiations won't bring end to B.C. port workers strike, employers say

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Jul, 2023 09:45 AM
  • Further negotiations won't bring end to B.C. port workers strike, employers say

Talks to end a strike at British Columbia's ports have stalled with both sides accusing the other of being unreasonable.

The BC Maritime Employers Association released a statement Monday afternoon saying it had gone as far as possible on core issues and it doesn't think more bargaining is going to produce a collective agreement.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada, representing thousands of workers who load and unload cargo at terminals at more than 30 B.C. ports, says it's the association that "sabotaged the progress."

Thousands of union members walked off the job Saturday morning. Both sides negotiated over the weekend and were at the table earlier in the day on Monday.

The association said it has advanced "reasonable proposals and positions in good faith" but said the union refuses to budge. 

"ILWU Canada went on strike over demands that were and continue to be outside any reasonable framework for settlement. Given the foregoing mentioned, the BCMEA is of the view that a continuation of bargaining at this time is not going to produce a collective agreement," the statement read.

"ILWU Canada needs to decide if they are going to continue this strike with no hope of settlement, or significantly modify their position so a fair and balanced deal can be reached." 

A key stumbling block appears to be around maintenance work, with the association accusing the union of attempting to change definitions and "aggressively expand their scope." Union president Rob Ashton said ILWU Canada is focused on stopping "the erosion of jurisdiction" and the extensive use of contractors.

"When we finally had a document that was largely agreed upon as the result of continuous movement by the union on this one position the association decided to change their position in an attempt to muddy the water and mischaracterize the work, we have spent months discussing," Ashton said in a statement.

Ashton said it's reasonable for workers, who he said helped achieve record profits during the pandemic, to have a fair and equitable share of them.

The strike led businesses organizations to issue warnings about wide-reaching implications across the country, with some pushing for the federal government to step in with back-to-work legislation.

The union, meanwhile, warned Ottawa not to interfere.

"We implore the BCMEA to get back to the table to achieve a fair and reasonable agreement that the parties negotiate together," Ashton said in his statement.

"It is unrealistic to think that a collective agreement that is imposed will result in long term labour stability in the industry. The parties need to put their best effort forward for the entire country and not just their individual aims."

Federal Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan has said the focus of negotiations "needs to be on the table."

The association represents 49 private sector employers operating in B.C. ports, and its website says the industry contributes $2.7 billion to Canada's GDP while handling roughly 16 per cent of the country's total traded goods -- amounting to $180 billion in 2020.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Dental care to cost $3B less than budgeted unless provinces drop coverage, PBO says

Dental care to cost $3B less than budgeted unless provinces drop coverage, PBO says
The Liberals promised a stand-alone dental insurance plan for low- and middle-income Canadians who don't have private insurance as part of its supply and confidence deal with the NDP last year.

Dental care to cost $3B less than budgeted unless provinces drop coverage, PBO says

Canada removes limit on study programmes' length for work permit holders

Canada removes limit on study programmes' length for work permit holders
The Canadian government on Tuesday introduced a public policy that will be beneficial for immigrants, including those from India, to boost their career, job prospects, and chances of permanent residency.

Canada removes limit on study programmes' length for work permit holders

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