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

Toxicity and tight race fuel B.C. election integrity doubters, says professor

Toxicity and tight race fuel B.C. election integrity doubters, says professor
University of British Columbia professor emeritus Richard Johnston says questions about mail-in votes and the handling of ballots also reflect circumstances south of the border. He said other factors include use of more complicated voting apparatus and social media platforms where anyone can publish doubts.

Toxicity and tight race fuel B.C. election integrity doubters, says professor

B.C. election: NDP takes lead in key riding, putting Eby on track for majority

B.C. election: NDP takes lead in key riding, putting Eby on track for majority
The NDP now leads Surrey-Guildford by 14 votes and if it hangs on there and in other races, it would have a one-seat majority in the 93-riding legislature. Elections BC officials are counting more than 22,000 absentee and special ballots provincewide today, nine days after the province’s election.

B.C. election: NDP takes lead in key riding, putting Eby on track for majority

Transportation minister looks for provinces, territories to collaborate on car thefts

Transportation minister looks for provinces, territories to collaborate on car thefts
The federal transportation minister says national co-operation is needed to close loopholes criminals can use to re-sell stolen cars. Anita Anand's office has sent letters to her provincial and territorial counterparts calling for meetings to discuss the issue of Vehicle Identification Numbers being changed on stolen cars which are then resold, a process known as "re-vinning" vehicles.

Transportation minister looks for provinces, territories to collaborate on car thefts

B.C. election: NDP cuts margin in key riding to four votes as absentee count goes on

B.C. election: NDP cuts margin in key riding to four votes as absentee count goes on
An ongoing count of absentee ballots in British Columbia's election has seen the NDP cut the B.C. Conservatives' lead in a key riding to just four votes. If the NDP wins Surrey-Guildford and holds onto other leads, it will be elected or leading in 47 seats, which is the threshold for a majority in the legislature.

B.C. election: NDP cuts margin in key riding to four votes as absentee count goes on

Avian flu detected at a 5th farm

Avian flu detected at a 5th farm
Avian flu has been detected at a fifth farm in B-C this fall. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the latest outbreak has been detected in a commercial poultry flock in Abbotsford.

Avian flu detected at a 5th farm

RCMP seize 73 kilograms of cocaine during traffic stop east of Sicamous

RCMP seize 73 kilograms of cocaine during traffic stop east of Sicamous
Police say officers arrested the 28-year-old man from Surrey who was driving the vehicle, and he's since been released with conditions and a scheduled court date. A statement from police says the traffic stop on Oct. 8 involved a roadblock on the Trans Canada Highway near Malakwa, east of Sicamous. 

RCMP seize 73 kilograms of cocaine during traffic stop east of Sicamous