BCMEA: British Columbia dockworkers union announces strike

The British Columbia Maritime Employer’s Association (BCMEA) says the union representing hundreds of marine and dock workers in British Columbia has issued a 72-hour notice of a planned strike against terminal operator DP World (Canada) Inc.

A BCMEA press release states that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 514 is expected to picket beginning at 4:30 p.m. on July 8.

CityNews has tried several times to contact the union for confirmation.

The move comes despite the Canada Industrial Relations Board launching hearings this week into complaints relating to wages and pensions, among other issues.

The ILWU said in a statement last month that 99 percent of the nearly 600 dockworkers who voted opposed a “final offer” from the employers’ association.

Frank Morena, president of Local 514, said at the time that DP World Canada informed them in December that the company would unilaterally introduce some automation at its intermodal station at Vancouver’s Centerm port.

The BCMEA said it had previously offered a 19.2 percent wage increase and was now disappointed with the measure.

“The stability and reliability of Canada’s west coast ports and the country’s supply chain are critical to the BCMEA, our members and all Canadians,” the association said.

Last year, British Columbia dockworkers went on strike in July over issues of wages, benefits and training. In August, the union approved a contract for 7,400 workers in the province after twice rejecting mediation. The BCMEA said at the time that the collective agreement included wage and benefit increases as well as training.

At the time, the Vancouver Chamber of Commerce announced that the strike had disrupted an estimated $10 billion worth of trade.

With files from The Canadian Press.