Three-quarters of the longshore rank and file have agreed to a four-year contract at Vancouver and Prince Rupert, bringing labor certainty to western Canada that has eluded the port for more than a month. The deal ensures marine terminals in the coming weeks can clear a backlog created by a gridlock in negotiations.
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) on Friday announced that 74.66% of its membership voted for the contract, although neither the ILWU nor employers disclosed wage levels or how the two sides were able to move through an impasse over expanding job jurisdiction.
“The renewed collective agreement includes increases in wages, benefits and training that recognizes the skills and efforts of B.C.’s waterfront workforce, while providing certainty and stability for the future of Canada’s West Coast ports,” the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) said in an Aug. 4 statement.
Canada’s ministers of labor and transportation on Friday praised the collective bargaining process, although Seamus O’Regan and Juan Pablo Rodriguez, respectively, said they were reviewing how such a prolonged disruption occurred and would look for ways to bring more stability to labor and business dependent on the ports.
“This dispute caused serious disruptions to our supply chains, risking our strong international reputation as a reliable trading partner. We do not want to be back here again,” the ministers said in a Friday joint statement.
Details please refer to JOC news.
Source:
Szakonyi, M. (2023, August 6). ILWU Canada contract ratification ensures BC Port Peace. Journal of Commerce. https://www.joc.com/article/ilwu-canada-contract-ratification-ensures-bc-port-peace_20230806.html