A union representing foremen at British Columbia害羞草研究所檚 ports says it is being forced to take an industry-wide strike vote after one employer refused to bargain about automation issues directly and it also wants the courts to weigh in.

A statement from Frank Morena, the local 514 president for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, says they repeatedly tried to negotiate with DP World Canada about automation, but the company refuses and instead hopes for government intervention on its behalf.

The statement says the union is going to court seeking a judicial review of the recent Canada Industrial Relations Board decision that determined the union can害羞草研究所檛 bargain with DP World alone, saying it doesn害羞草研究所檛 believe the board is correctly interpreting the law.

The statement says the union has 害羞草研究所渘o interest in an industry-wide dispute as a result of just one employer that won害羞草研究所檛 bargain害羞草研究所� on an issue critical to its members.

The B.C. Maritime Employers Association says in a statement that it害羞草研究所檚 disappointed with the union害羞草研究所檚 latest position.

It says despite the uncertainty the association is committed to reaching an agreement with the 730 forepersons, while also ensuring West Coast ports remain reliable, competitive and affordable.

The Canadian Press