ILWU plans strike at DP World Canada starting Monday

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) has informed terminal operator DP World Canada of its intention to go on strike starting Monday afternoon at 4:30 p.m.

In response, the BC Maritime Employer’s Association (BCMEA), the bargaining group for port employers on Canada’s west coast, announced it would lock out Local 514 workers across the province, not just at DP World facilities. The coast-wide lockout would shut down all cargo docks in BC, except for grain terminals and cruise ships.

The BCMEA has asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board to intervene in the dispute this weekend, before the strike begins. The board had already scheduled hearings to discuss the dispute for next week.

The sticking point for the ILWU is DP World’s decision to use automated systems in a freight yard at Vancouver’s Container Terminal Center. The union is firmly opposed to automation in all West Coast ports in its service area. According to Local 514, members rejected DP World’s final contract offer by a majority of 99 to 1, partly because of the automation issue. Wages and pensions are also part of the negotiations.

BCMEA said the offer rejected by ILWU included a 19 percent wage increase. The union has repeatedly expressed concern that many jobs in the port industry would be phased out or reduced if automation is not blocked during collective bargaining.

Although the current dispute only concerns DP World, the ILWU has previously managed to reach an agreement with the BCMEA. Last fall, the two groups agreed to a comprehensive deal covering more than 7,000 dockworkers across the province.