Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
National

Union talks underway between foremen, employers to avoid latest B.C. port strike

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 31 Oct, 2024 12:21 PM
  • Union talks underway between foremen, employers to avoid latest B.C. port strike

Negotiations between British Columbia's port employers and the union representing foremen are entering a final scheduled day in a bid to avoid a labour disruption.

Both the BC Maritime Employers Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 confirm talks are ongoing with the help of federal mediation services.

The current negotiation session began on Oct. 29 and was said to be extendable by two days, if necessary.

The union, which represents about 700 foremen at the ports, has said if talks break down it has a mandate from members to strike that expires on Nov. 2.

No job action has taken place and no notices of strike or lockout have been issued, but Local 514 president Frank Morena has said "the clock is ticking" given the strike mandate's expiring date.

Negotiations began last year after the last contract expired in March 2023.

The union said in September that members voted 96 per cent in favour of authorizing strike action if necessary.

The dispute has been centred around one employer, DP World, and its manpower requirements as it relates to automation.

The union has said it had "no interest in an industry-wide dispute" because it wanted to negotiate with DP World directly, but the Canada Industrial Relations Board said the union can't bargain with one employer alone.

The union said that ruling prompted members to take an industry-wide vote on a strike mandate. 

The Canada Industrial Relations Board also ruled earlier this month on complaints from both sides alleging negotiating in bad faith, dismissing the union's claim, while partly agreeing with the employers' complaint. 

Vancouver's port — the largest in Canada — has seen a number of recent disruptions, including in September when workers set up pickets at six Metro Vancouver grain terminals.

A month before that, port operations were disrupted by work stoppages at both major Canadian railways.

A 13-day port workers strike last year froze billions in trade at the docks.

MORE National ARTICLES

Trudeau says Liberal party is 'strong and united' after caucus meeting

Trudeau says Liberal party is 'strong and united' after caucus meeting
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was smiling this afternoon as he walked out of a weekly caucus meeting where some MPs had planned to confront him about his leadership. Trudeau said the Liberal party is "strong and united" following the meeting on Parliament Hill which lasted about three hours.

Trudeau says Liberal party is 'strong and united' after caucus meeting

As federal workers fight office mandate, study finds remote work has climate benefits

As federal workers fight office mandate, study finds remote work has climate benefits
Remote workers in Quebec contributed even fewer emissions thanks largely to greener homes heated by electric baseboards rather than natural gas, and the province's virtually all-renewable energy grid, the report said. 

As federal workers fight office mandate, study finds remote work has climate benefits

CFIA recalls many waffle brands

CFIA recalls many waffle brands
The agency says the recall includes gluten free and Belgian waffles from the brand Compliments, Belgian and toaster waffles from Duncan Hines, as well as waffles and Buttermilk pancakes from Gordon Choice and Great Value.

CFIA recalls many waffle brands

Merchandise theft at Metrotown

Merchandise theft at Metrotown
Police say a 41-year-old man is accused of stealing more than 56-thousand dollars of merchandise from Burnaby's Metrotown shopping centre. R-C-M-P say the man was identified as a suspect through video surveillance after thefts from a single store between September 8th and 17th.

Merchandise theft at Metrotown

Man who steals police vehicle denied bail

Man who steals police vehicle denied bail
The man accused of stealing a Vancouver police vehicle and using it to do doughnuts on a local sports field has been denied bail. The man was arrested on October 6th, when he allegedly stole a police S-U-V and took it for a joyride on a grass field at a park in East Vancouver. 

Man who steals police vehicle denied bail

Police watchdog called after fatal shooting in Penticton

Police watchdog called after fatal shooting in Penticton
Mounties in British Columbia's southern Interior say they've notified the provincial police watchdog after a confrontation that left one man dead and an officer injured. Penticton RCMP say they received multiple 911 calls Tuesday reporting a man acting erratically and allegedly waving a knife. 

Police watchdog called after fatal shooting in Penticton