Port workers across British Columbia formally went on strike on Saturday (July 1) after negotiations supported by federal mediators failed to produce a deal to keep more than 7,000 employees on the job.
The BC Maritime Employers Association issued a statement saying talks with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada took place throughout the night, but negotiators were unable to secure an agreement and workers walked off the job in the morning.
害羞草研究所淥ver the course of the past couple of days, the BCMEA has continued to advance proposals and positions in good faith, with the objective of achieving a fair deal at the table,害羞草研究所� the statement read. 害羞草研究所淥ur Bargaining Committee has made repeated efforts to be flexible and find compromise on key priorities, but regrettably, the Parties have yet to be successful in reaching a settlement.害羞草研究所�
The union served a 72-hour strike notice on Wednesday, but could not immediately be reached for comment on Saturday.
Federal Labour Minister Seamus O害羞草研究所橰egan said Saturday the parties continue to negotiate, adding 害羞草研究所渢he best deals for both parties are reached at the table.害羞草研究所�
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business said it害羞草研究所檚 害羞草研究所渧ery concerned害羞草研究所� about the strike action, urging all involved parties to cut a deal 害羞草研究所渁s quickly as possible.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淎 strike could have serious consequences for our economy and our small businesses. Port operations must remain fluid so as not to exacerbate supply chain disruptions and put further pressure on costs, at a time when we are still facing high inflation,害羞草研究所� the federation said Saturday. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 important to remember that strike-related delays can be costly for small businesses, which could lose sales as a result.害羞草研究所�
The strike affects about 7,400 terminal cargo loaders and 49 of the province害羞草研究所檚 waterfront employers at more than 30 B.C. ports.
In early June ,99.24 per cent of union membership voted in favour of strike action0.
The ILWU did not provide a 72-hour strike notice on June 21, the earliest possible date for such an action after receiving the authorization vote from its members.
That notice came instead on June 28, with the ILWU issuing a statement at the time that accused the employers害羞草研究所� association of demanding 害羞草研究所渕ajor concessions害羞草研究所� from the union despite 害羞草研究所渞ecord profits during the COVID-19 pandemic.害羞草研究所� The strike notice came nearly three months after the last contract expired on March 30.
The union also said it was seeking to protect members from the 害羞草研究所渆rosion害羞草研究所� of work stemming from outside contract workers and port automation.
The association represents 49 private-sector employers operating in B.C. ports, and its website says the industry contributes $2.7 billion to Canada害羞草研究所檚 GDP while handling roughly 16 per cent of the country害羞草研究所檚 total traded goods, amounting to $180 billion in 2020.
On Friday both the union and employer confirmed the strike would not affect cruise ships docked in Vancouver, Prince Rupert or Vancouver Island.
Darryl Greer, The Canadian Press
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