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B.C. port strike: New tentative agreement reached

The long-running B.C. port dispute is set to finally come to an end, with the workers’ union and employers’ association jointly announcing a new tentative agreement.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Canada (ILWU) and the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) have concluded a negotiated collective agreement yesterday, with the assistance of the Canada Industrial Relations Board. Both parties are recommending ratification of the collective agreement to the union’s membership and member employers respectively.

On July 29, Federal Minister of Labour Seamus O’Regan Jr. said he has directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to determine whether the union’s rejection of the previous tentative agreement has eliminated the possibility of a negotiated resolution.

“I have directed them to either impose a new collective agreement on the parties or impose final binding arbitration to resolve outstanding terms of the collective agreement,” he said.

“Our economy cannot face further disruption from this dispute. Following the Incident Response Group meeting with the Prime Minister on July 19, the government is prepared for all options and eventualities.”

The dispute started on July 1, when more than 7,400 workers walked off the job that shut down all B.C. ports.