Close X
Wednesday, December 11, 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

BC Greens leader wants change in health care

BC Greens leader wants change in health care
Furstenau says the N-D-P government should start by reforming health-care leadership, bureaucracy, measurable patient outcomes and even how the province's health authorities spend their money.  

BC Greens leader wants change in health care

B.C. becomes first province to provide universal coverage for opioid treatments

B.C. becomes first province to provide universal coverage for opioid treatments
A statement from the Health Ministry says B-C will now provide universal coverage for eligible drugs -- which include methadone -- that are rated as opioid agonist treatment medications.

B.C. becomes first province to provide universal coverage for opioid treatments

B.C. border agents find 6,300 kg of meth, including largest single seizure to date

B.C. border agents find 6,300 kg of meth, including largest single seizure to date
In December of last year, agents in Burnaby found 40 jugs containing just over 200 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, and a month later 180 containers with 2,900 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine were seized coming through the container examination facility in Delta. 

B.C. border agents find 6,300 kg of meth, including largest single seizure to date

Deportations for international students caught in fraud scheme put on hold

Deportations for international students caught in fraud scheme put on hold
Hundreds of students might have been affected by the scheme, which saw immigration agents issue fake acceptance letters to get international students into Canada. Some students had no idea their documents were forged until it came time for them apply for permanent residency.  

Deportations for international students caught in fraud scheme put on hold

Chilliwack hosts vegan festival

Chilliwack hosts vegan festival
Normally known for its dairy and animal agriculture products, Chilliwack is hosting its first ever vegan food festival. The festival is hosted by local grocery store The Veganist for its one-year anniversary since opening, and co-founder Logan Bryan says vegan products have been welcomed by the majority of the community.

Chilliwack hosts vegan festival

Canada will continue to rely on foreign firefighters as wildfires increase: Trudeau

Canada will continue to rely on foreign firefighters as wildfires increase: Trudeau
Trudeau said extreme weather events are expected to become more frequent in the coming years due to climate change. When asked if Canada needs to augment its fleet water bombers that are used to fight fires, he said it's clear the country will need to increase resources at many levels.

Canada will continue to rely on foreign firefighters as wildfires increase: Trudeau