Foremen at B.C. Ports Vote to Strike Amid Ongoing Disputes with Employers

Despite the ongoing disputes and a vote for strike action, cargo and passenger operations at British Columbia's ports remain unaffected.

The union representing ship and dock foremen at B.C. ports has voted in favor of authorizing a strike if negotiations fail to resolve their ongoing labour disputes with employers. According to Local 514 of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), 96% of its members voted for strike action.  

However, despite the pro-strike vote results, no official notice of a 72-hour strike or lockout has been issued.

Thousands of port workers had previously taken strike action in 2023, resulting in a 13-day shutdown of B.C. ports and billions in trade disruptions.

Additionally, the recent multi-day work stoppages at Canada’s major railway companies, CN and CPKC, impacted B.C. port operations. 

Direct dispute with DP World Canada

DP World Canada’s plan to reduce staffing levels and transition to automation at B.C. ports triggered the most recent dispute.

In addition to the ongoing disputes and negotiations, the ILWU’s Local 514 announced that DP World Canada had informed the union in June about its plans to introduce automation for loading and unloading cargo containers at the Port of Vancouver’s Centerm facility.

Initially, Local 514 sought to address its concerns directly with DP World. However, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) ruled that the union must negotiate with all port employers.

This ruling led the union to call for a broader vote. Local 514 President Frank Morena explained that the union was forced into an industry-wide negotiation despite its preference for talks with just DP World.

“We don’t want to negotiate through the media,” Morena stated, “but we will fight back against DP World’s attempts to reduce staffing at B.C. ports.”

Two strike action votes in two months

This is the second time a strike action vote has occurred in two months, with the ILWU issuing a strike notice in July. However, the CIRB ruled that the vote for a port strike was illegal and directed the union to withdraw its strike notice.

Federal Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan confirmed the strike and lockout notices in a post on X, formerly Twitter. He said, “Federal mediators are working with the parties to help them reach a deal, and the best deals are made at the bargaining table."

The last agreement between the B.C. Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA), which represents port employers, and the ILWU expired on March 31, 2023.

Since then, the BCMEA has proposed several offers that it believes would have resulted in a competitive and balanced deal for ILWU Local 514 members.

Multiple rounds of talks have failed to reach a new deal.

BCMEA continues its negotiations with ILWU

In an update, the BCMEA said it has been negotiating in good faith for over 16 months. The association claims its offers include significant wage and benefit increases without asking for concessions.

“We remain committed to bargaining in good faith and seeking a balanced agreement,” the association said, stressing that the 730 foremen in B.C. ports are vital in maintaining competitive and resilient West Coast waterfronts.

BCMEA also voiced concerns that the ongoing disputes harm Canada’s supply chain, stating, “Ongoing instability does little to assure Canadians or global trading partners.”

However, McGill University Associate Professor Barry Eidlin stated, "Forcing workers back to work or trying to restrain their Charter-protected right to strike is not going to resolve the underlying issues." 

What will happen next?

The ongoing negotiations are essential to the region’s economy, as more than 700 foremen are involved, and port operations are critical to national and international trade. 

Although no formal strike notice has been issued, the union continues to voice its demands. Morena stressed that new collective agreements would not be signed until outstanding issues, including staffing levels and job security, are addressed. “We do not want a strike or lockout,” he said, “but we want a fair contract.”

Mediation is currently underway and overseen by the CIRB. Whether the foremen will ultimately strike or reach an agreement remains uncertain, but the union has clarified that they are prepared for action if their demands are not met.​

We are following this story and will keep you updated. If you have any questions about how a possible strike at B.C. ports could affect your business, please reach out to one of our trade professionals.