Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

Researcher warns against intervention as B.C. port workers conclude contract vote

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Aug, 2023 10:33 AM
  • Researcher warns against intervention as B.C. port workers conclude contract vote

A labour researcher says he hopes the federal government doesn't rush to intervene in British Columbia's port dispute, even if union members reject a tentative deal with employers today.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada concludes the two-day vote at 6 p.m., after a tumultuous period that included a 13-day shutdown of more than 30 port terminals and other sites last month.

McGill University associate professor Barry Eidlin says he hopes the federal government lets the dispute be resolved at the negotiating table, regardless of the vote's outcome.

He says the prospect of federal intervention represents "backsliding to a past era" when workers' fundamental rights weren't respected.

The tentative contract between the union and the BC Maritime Employers Association was announced on Sunday, a day after federal Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to impose a deal or binding arbitration if it decides a negotiated resolution isn't possible.

Union leaders say workers' key concerns relate to automation and the contracting out of maintenance work, both of which present fundamental challenges to the future of port jobs.

The strike from July 1 to 13 ended when a previous tentative deal was struck, but union members rejected it in a vote on July 28, triggering O'Regan's order for the industrial relations board to get involved.

MORE National ARTICLES

Williams Lake Mountie charged three years after car crash with suspect

Williams Lake Mountie charged three years after car crash with suspect
The prosecution service says the Mountie faces charges of assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm, criminal negligence and dangerous driving. Prosecutors say the charges against Const. Madeline Hjelden stem from an on-duty motor vehicle incident in Williams Lake, B.C., that occurred in May 2020. 

Williams Lake Mountie charged three years after car crash with suspect

Assault with a weapon in Newton, One in hospital

Assault with a weapon in Newton, One in hospital
On Thursday, at 10:07 a.m., Surrey RCMP responded to the report of an assault with a weapon in the 12900-block of 68 Avenue. Upon arrival police located a 20-year-old man suffering from apparent stab wounds.

Assault with a weapon in Newton, One in hospital

B.C. judge allows cannabis 'fire sale' to stave off CRA destruction threat

B.C. judge allows cannabis 'fire sale' to stave off CRA destruction threat
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has approved the bulk sale of more than 1,200 kilograms of cannabis by a company after the Canada Revenue Agency threatened to destroy it.  The agency had earlier declined to renew the company's excise tax licence due to financial difficulties.

B.C. judge allows cannabis 'fire sale' to stave off CRA destruction threat

A week since Amber Alert issued for missing children, location remains unknown

A week since Amber Alert issued for missing children, location remains unknown
Surrey R-C-M-P say it's been one week since an Amber Alert was activated for Aurora and Joshuah Bolton, whose whereabouts remain unknown. Police say they're still concerned for the children's safety after their mother, Verity Bolton, didn't return them to their father after a trip.   

A week since Amber Alert issued for missing children, location remains unknown

Weather delivers modest respite for wildfire starts in B.C.

Weather delivers modest respite for wildfire starts in B.C.
Fire and emergency management officials are set to provide an update on the state of wildfires around British Columbia, as recent rains have offered some reprieve but several blazes still threaten communities. The BC Wildfire Service is reporting 412 active wildfires, down by about 70 since Monday.

Weather delivers modest respite for wildfire starts in B.C.

Former senator, MP and journalist Pat Carney is dead at the age of 88

Former senator, MP and journalist Pat Carney is dead at the age of 88
Pat Carney, who pioneered roles for women in Canadian politics and journalism, has died at the age of 88. Her niece, Jill Carney, confirmed in a statement that the former MP and senator passed away Tuesday.   

Former senator, MP and journalist Pat Carney is dead at the age of 88