Both Sides in BC Port Dispute to Meet and Discuss Ending Lockout Following Minister’s Intervention

Employers and the union representing supervisors involved in a labor dispute that led to a lockout at British Columbia’s ports will try to strike a deal as discussions resume this weekend.

A spokesperson from the office of the federal Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon has confirmed that the minister spoke with leaders from both the BC Maritime Employers Association and International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514. However, there was no use of any section of the Canadian Labor Code that would compel them to return to negotiations.

A statement from the ministry indicates that MacKinnon instead “urged them to come back to the bargaining table,” and discussions are now set to start on Saturday with the assistance of federal mediators.

A meeting notice obtained by The Canadian Press reveals that talks will commence in Vancouver at 5 p.m. and could continue into Sunday and Monday if needed.

The lockout at B.C. ports by employers was initiated on Monday following what their association describes as “strike activity” by the union. This resulted in a halt of container cargo traffic at terminals along Canada’s west coast.

Meanwhile, the union has filed a complaint against the employers for allegedly negotiating in bad faith, a claim that employers dismiss as baseless.

The two sides have not reached an agreement since March 2023, and the employers state that their final offer from the last round of talks remains on the table.

The proposed deal includes a 19.2% wage hike over a four-year period along with an average lump sum payment of $21,000 per eligible worker.

The union has expressed concerns about the introduction of port automation in cargo operations, and employees seek guarantees regarding staffing levels regardless of the technology used at the port.

The disruption is taking place while two container terminals are closed in Montreal due to a separate labor dispute.

This situation has disrupted container cargo operations at Canada’s two largest ports, Vancouver and Montreal, both vital gateways for Canadian trade on the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

This is just one of many work stoppages at the Port of Vancouver, where a 13-day strike halted cargo last year, while labor issues in the rail and grain-handling sectors caused further disruptions earlier this year.