After several rounds of negotiations, the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) have finally reached a new four-year collective agreement.
According to the BCMEA, the new ratified agreement will be extended until Mar. 31, 2027, after two years of mediation and strike threats.
The new agreement covers several key issues, which the BCMEA says expired on Mar. 31, 2023, and led to potential walkouts, binding arbitration votes, and disruptions at key ports.
“These agreements cover wages, benefits, hours of work and employment conditions for over 7,400 longshore workers and foremen at Canada’s West Coast ports,” they say.
On Nov. 2 the BCMEA issued a final offer to the union, which was followed by the ILWU rejecting the offer and the association locking out forepersons and other Local 514 members on Nov. 4.
Former labour minister Steven MacKinnon imposed binding arbitration on Nov. 12 to order parties at ports across Canada to resume their duties and reach a settlement.
