The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) has been informed that International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 514 has secured a strike mandate with 96% of the 730 forepersons at BC ports in favour. No strike or lockout notice has been issued, and port operations remain unaffected. The BCMEA emphasized its commitment to good faith negotiations with ILWU Local 514 and is awaiting the outcome of the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) hearings on the ILWU’s pay and manning proposal for DP World (Canada) which the BCMEA has challenged as being illegal and in bad faith. The CIRB hearing will resume next week.
