A total of 130 Canadian associations and organizations signed Canada’s Chamber of Commerce letter to federal government expressing concern over the shutdown of British Columbia ports ahead of the upcoming B.C. Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 514 meeting on Nov. 9.
The parties are set to meet at 17:00 PT on Saturday with the assistance of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS).
The shutdown began after ILWU Local 514 issued a strike notice on October 30 in response to a final offer from the BCMEA. The association’s offer included a proposed increase in median foreperson compensation from $246,323 to $293,617, an average $21,000 lump-sum payment, and an increase in retirement benefits from $93,750 to $108,750. BCMEA characterized this as a fair proposal that required no union concessions. Nevertheless, ILWU initiated industry-wide strike action on Nov. 4. In response, the BCMEA issued a province-wide lockout the same day, halting cargo operations for most of its member companies, while allowing grain and cruise operations to continue. BCMEA framed the lockout as a defensive measure to ensure an orderly wind-down of port activities amid escalating strike actions.
B.C. ports are crucial to Canada’s economy, handling $800 million worth of cargo daily, representing roughly 25% of the country’s total goods flow. In a letter addressed to labor minister Steven MacKinnon and transport minister Anita Anand, Chamber of Commerce said that a 13-day strike at B.C. ports last year resulted in a 23% drop in exports from the province, marking the lowest export levels since the pandemic.
Cumulative disruptions over the last 18 months alone —including strikes at major rail networks, the Port of Montreal, and Canada’s grain terminals—have already placed significant strain on the logistics network, with the latest issues at B.C. ports further destabilizing Canada’s ability to deliver reliable trade.
“Additionally, as our relationship with the United States continues to evolve with the conclusion of the 2024 presidential election and the upcoming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, we cannot repeatedly jeopardize our most important bilateral economic partnership; we must strengthen resilient cross-border supply chains that enhance our shared economic security,” the letter reads.
Earlier this week, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade has also expressed concern over the economic fallout from the port shutdowns, estimating that the latest closure will disrupt $800 million worth of goods daily, with each hour of closure contributing to inflation.
Among the letter’s 130 signatories are the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada, Quebec Trucking Association, Railway Association of Canada, Chamber of Shipping, Shipping Federation of Canada, and Freight Management Association of Canada.
Union files complaint with CIRB
Adding to the complexities of the negotiation process, ILWU Local 514 filed a complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) on November 7, accusing BCMEA of misconduct during bargaining. BCMEA responded by labeling the complaint “meritless,” stating it would deny any wrongdoing and would continue negotiating in good faith to reach a fair agreement for waterfront workers and resume port operations.
“As with earlier union complaints—all dismissed by the CIRB—we will be denying any wrongdoing,” BCMEA said in a statement. “Despite the distraction of having to defend against what we view to be another meritless claim, the BCMEA remains committed to negotiating a fair and equitable agreement that recognizes the efforts and skills of the waterfront workforce and restores supply chain operations as quickly as possible.”
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