Canadians need the Parties to find common ground, restore stability

At seventeen missed shifts and six days of ILWU Canada’s strike action, we are learning of  layoffs in related industries, cargo diversions and disastrous economic impacts in real-time. The BCMEA calls on ILWU Canada to join us in a voluntary mediation-arbitration process to restore stability for Canadians as soon as possible.

This is not just about two Parties negotiating a deal. This is about Canadians, their livelihoods, and the well-being of the Canadian economy. Canadians are already seeing impacts and job losses due to the supply chain implications of this labour disruption. There has been $4.6 billion worth of cargo potentially disrupted so far — there is too much at stake.

The BCMEA has advanced reasonable proposals and positions in good faith to make progress towards the union’s demands and has offered significant wage increases.

The BCMEA believes a deal can be reached if the ILWU Canada wants one.

We invite the ILWU Canada to join the BCMEA in a voluntary mediation-arbitration process. We know that the best deals are made at the table, and this is exactly what we are proposing the Parties do.

To protect the future of B.C.’s waterfront and waterfront jobs, we must work together to find common ground.

Last updated: July 6, 2023, 4:18 pm PT