Dear CSCA Members and Partners:
The ongoing labour dispute between the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union – Canada (ILWU – Canada) has resulted in a BCMEA issuing a lockout notice to all longshore employees covered by the expired BCMEA / ILWU – Canada collective agreement effective 0800, Thursday May 30, 2019. The lockout does not include employees required to service vessels at licensed grain terminals and transfer elevators but will impact the majority of other bulk and container terminals in Vancouver and Prince Rupert.
BCMEA has issued this notice in partial response to ILWU taking job action at GCT Deltaport and GCT Vanterm on Monday, May 27 that saw workers refuse overtime and has resulted in disruption at these terminals.
Negotiations between BCMEA and ILWU are set to resume today at 0700 PDT with the assistance of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS).
The press releases from the BCMEA and ILWU are attached.
CSCA/Pulse Canada will be contacting Federal Ministers today to make them aware of the impact these labour issues have on Canadian exporters and requesting them to ensure a quick resolution of this labour dispute.
If you have any questions please contact Greg Northey – gnorthey@pulsecanada.com or (613) 868-5028.
Attachment 1 – BCMEA Press Release Lockout [pdf]