Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
National

Workers to rally on day six of B.C. port strike, employer seeks binding arbitration

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Jul, 2023 09:54 AM
  • Workers to rally on day six of B.C. port strike, employer seeks binding arbitration

The president of the union representing striking British Columbia port workers said employers are waiting for the federal government to do their "dirty work" instead of negotiating an end to the workers' six-day strike. 

Officials with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada also said the association representing port employers is more interested in a "dirty tricks campaign," than resuming talks that stalled on Monday.

Hundreds of port workers and supporters attended a solidarity rally in Vancouver Thursday morning, chanting in unison and waving placards and union flags.

Rob Ashton, president of the union, told the rally that "the employer walked away from the table three times."

"They don't want to negotiate with us. They don't want to do the right thing for the workers of the longshore division that put their lives on the line during the COVID pandemic," he said.

"They're trying to wait for the government to do their dirty work because they don't want to treat us with respect."

Following his speech, the workers marched to the busy intersection of Clark Drive and East Hastings Street to picket.  

The BC Maritime Employers Association has been calling for binding arbitration to end the strike involving about 7,400 workers at more than 30 ports.

The union workers have been off the job since Canada Day to back demands for improved wages and provisions against contracting out and automation.

Ashton said in a statement earlier Thursday that the employers association had released misinformation and details exaggerating the incomes of dock workers.

The association said Wednesday that binding arbitration could quickly resolve the job action.

Federal Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan is instead urging the two sides to make use of available mediators and resume negotiations.

O'Regan met with his B.C. counterpart, Labour Minister Harry Bains, on Wednesday to discuss the strike, which has idled Canada's busiest port, in Vancouver, as well as the third busiest port, in Prince Rupert.

CP Rail, now known as CPKC Ltd., issued temporary embargoes on rail traffic to the Port of Vancouver this week, while officials in Alberta and Saskatchewan have joined with business organizations in B.C. and across Canada calling for federal legislation to end the job action.

"Negotiations are still paused, however, the BCMEA remains ready to re-engage at a moment’s notice, assuming ILWU Canada is prepared to present a reasonable proposal," the association said in an email Wednesday. 

The strike has potentially disrupted $3.7 billion of cargo, it said.

"Automotive parts, refrigerated food, fertilizer, critical minerals and goods … are not reaching Canadians or our trading partners abroad," said the association.

Data show the Port of Vancouver handles approximately 142 million tonnes of cargo annually while nearly 25 million tonnes of goods moved through Prince Rupert in 2022.

MORE National ARTICLES

Updated legislation aims to tackle discrimination in public service: PSC

Updated legislation aims to tackle discrimination in public service: PSC
The Public Service Commission will also have more resources to investigate mistakes or misconduct that affect their hiring processes. Previously amendments took affect that revised the job qualifications for members of equity-seeking groups and ensured permanent residents were given the same hiring preferences as Canadian citizens.

Updated legislation aims to tackle discrimination in public service: PSC

Canadians eligible for GST credit expected to receive 'grocery rebate' today

Canadians eligible for GST credit expected to receive 'grocery rebate' today
Canadians eligible for the GST credit are expected to receive a special payment today to help with the rising cost of groceries. The payment, which the Liberal government is calling the grocery rebate, was promised in the spring budget to help Canadians cope with food inflation.

Canadians eligible for GST credit expected to receive 'grocery rebate' today

B.C. port strike enters day five, with talks deadlocked over maintenance

B.C. port strike enters day five, with talks deadlocked over maintenance
The BC Maritime Employers Association meanwhile says the union is trying to "aggressively expand" its control of maintenance duties far beyond an agreement that the association says has been "legally well established for decades."

B.C. port strike enters day five, with talks deadlocked over maintenance

Tuesday set an unofficial record for the hottest day on Earth. Wednesday may break it.

Tuesday set an unofficial record for the hottest day on Earth. Wednesday may break it.
The planet's temperature spiked on Tuesday to its hottest day in at least 44 years and likely much longer, and Wednesday could become the third straight day Earth unofficially marks a record-breaking high, the latest in a series of climate-change extremes that alarm but don't surprise scientists

Tuesday set an unofficial record for the hottest day on Earth. Wednesday may break it.

Canadian government drops ads on Facebook, Instagram as Meta promises to block news

Canadian government drops ads on Facebook, Instagram as Meta promises to block news
The decision came after Meta promised to block Canadian news content on its Facebook and Instagram platforms in response to Canada's recently passed Online News Act. The new law will require tech giants pay media outlets for content they share or otherwise repurpose on their platforms.

Canadian government drops ads on Facebook, Instagram as Meta promises to block news

More campfire bans coming to B.C. by Friday as dry conditions raise wildfire danger

More campfire bans coming to B.C. by Friday as dry conditions raise wildfire danger
The BC Wildfire Service says, as of noon on Friday, campfires will no longer be permitted in the Kamloops Fire Centre. The restriction will also extend to include all areas of the Coastal Fire Centre, except Haida Gwaii.

More campfire bans coming to B.C. by Friday as dry conditions raise wildfire danger