ILWU Canada Strike Activity Commences

We are writing to provide an update on the longshore bargaining negotiations. The Parties conducted meetings with the support of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) on Thursday, Friday and throughout the night. Unfortunately, at the time of writing, a tentative agreement has not been reached and the ILWU Canada and its members have begun strike action at various sites across British Columbia.

Over the course of the past couple of days, the BCMEA has continued to advance proposals and positions in good faith, with the objective of achieving a fair deal at the table. Our Bargaining Committee has made repeated efforts to be flexible and find compromise on key priorities, but regrettably, the Parties have yet to be successful in reaching a settlement.

We appreciate the assistance of federal mediators in supporting the Parties and we remain open to any solutions that bring about a balanced agreement. That includes voluntarily entering into a mediation-arbitration process shaped by the Parties that provides for a binding outcome via interest arbitration, while restoring certainty and labour stability across Canada’s Pacific Gateway.

BCMEA remains committed to achieving a fair deal that recognizes the expertise of B.C.’s waterfront workforce, while ensuring Canada’s West Coast ports remain competitive, resilient, and affordable for all Canadians.

Last updated: July 1, 2023