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Western Canada port operations normal as next union contract vote looms

Cargo handling at the Western Canadian ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert was proceeding normally Monday after the longshore union and waterfront employers said in a joint statement they had reached yet another tentative contract agreement in hopes of ending the uncertainty that has hung over the ports for the past month.

Ocean Freight

Those hopes hang on winning the approval of the rank-and-file of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Canada. Union members have already rejected one tentative agreement put before them last week.

It wasn’t immediately clear what is different in the latest deal reached late Sunday between ILWU Canada and the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA).

Some clarity was provided by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), which issued an order on Sunday calling for a ratification vote to be held no later than Friday; the Port of Vancouver expects voting to take place Thursday and Friday.

The CIRB also ordered that the union will not strike, nor will employers engage in a lockout until the results of the vote are known.

“The parties are recommending ratification of the collective agreement to the union’s membership and member employers, respectively,” ILWU Canada and BCMEA said their statement Sunday.

ILWU Canada’s rank-and file on Friday rejected a four-year agreement that would have increased the base dockworker wage by 19.2% and included a signing bonus of C$3,000.

But ILWU Canada President Rob Ashton, in a statement posted Sunday on the union’s website, indicated that wages were not the main sticking point in the membership’s rejection last week of the initial tentative contract agreement. It’s not known when exactly Ashton’s statement was posted, but presumably it was prior to the joint statement from the union and BCMEA on a new deal being reached.

“The critical issue is the practice of contracting out maintenance work that poses a significant threat to job security and the integrity of the ILWU workforce,” he said.

Ashton added that ILWU Canada wants a renewed commitment from employers to protect ILWU jobs through contract provisions that limit or regulate the extent of maintenance work that employers can contract out.

“By implementing clear guidelines, we can ensure that our members’ livelihoods are secure and that the skills and experience of the ILWU labor force are preserved for the benefit of Canada’s supply chain,” Ashton said.

Port operations normal

Officials at Vancouver, Canada’s largest port, said cargo handling was continuing without disruption Monday.

“Regular operations at the port continue and recovery plans remain in effect,” the port said in an advisory to customers, alluding to the 14 days of strike action by longshore workers that took place earlier in July. It added that six container vessels were at berth, three at anchor and two were waiting to enter the port.

A spokesperson for the Port of Prince Rupert said cargo handling there was also proceeding normally.

Source:

Mongelluzzo, B. (2023, July 31). Western Canada Port Operations Normal as Next Union Contract Vote looms. Journal of Commerce. https://www.joc.com/article/western-canada-port-operations-normal-next-union-contract-vote-looms_20230731.html

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Western Canada port strike ends after deal reached on tentative four-year contract

Western Canada port strike ends after deal reached on tentative four-year contract

The 13-day longshore strike that hit the Western Canadian ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert ended Thursday after the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Canada and waterfront employers reached a deal on a tentative four-year contract.

The end of the strike came less than two days after Canada’s Minister of Labour ordered the federal mediator overseeing negotiations between the union and the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association to provide recommendations for a settlement. Those recommendations were presented to both sides on Wednesday, and they had 24 hours, or late morning Pacific time Thursday, to accept or reject the proposed terms. Rejection by either side would have forced the matter into the hands of the Canadian Parliament.

“The tentative agreement is subject to ratification by both parties, and subsequently, details of the agreement will not be released at this time,” the BCMEA said in a statement.

It added that it was “working closely with ILWU Canada and their locals and supply chain partners to safely resume operations as soon as possible.”

Marine terminals at Vancouver and Prince Rupert were scheduled to reopen for Thursday’s evening shift.

ILWU Canada was not immediately available for comment.

Working to restore terminal operations

The strike caused multiple ships to divert from Western Canada to Seattle and Tacoma, while also prompting at least two blank sailings. It also created a vessel backlog off Vancouver and Prince Rupert. There were 14 container ships at anchor or offshore at the Port of Vancouver Wednesday, according to the port’s website.

The Prince Rupert Port Authority said in a statement Thursday two of its seven terminals — DP World Prince Rupert’s Fairview Container Terminal and Drax’s Westview Wood Pellet Terminal – were “directly impacted” by the strike. PRPA added that five vessels are waiting at anchor or at sea to discharge at those terminals.

“PRPA, its terminal and rail supply chain partners and local labor will be working closely to re-establish fluidity and productivity so that we can begin to swiftly and effectively recover operations at the Port of Prince Rupert,” it said.

BCMEA said it “regrets the significant impact” the strike had on workers, customers and the Canadian economy. Earlier this week, the group said an estimated C$800 million of cargo was being disrupted daily by the longshore strike, representing 25% of the country’s total traded goods each day.

“We must collectively work together to not only restore cargo operations as quickly and safely as possible but to also rebuild the reputation of Canada’s largest gateway and ensure supply chain stability and resilience for the future,” BCMEA said.

Source:

JOC Staff. (2023, July 13). Western Canada port strike ends after deal reached on tentative four-year contract. Journal of Commerce. https://www.joc.com/article/western-canada-port-strike-ends-after-deal-reached-tentative-four-year-contract_20230713.html