Canadian dockworkers reject tentative agreement, resume strike

International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada members have rejected a tentative agreement with the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association — which represents British Columbia ports in labor negotiations — and have resumed a strike that began July 1.

As part of the ratification process, the union's internal caucus convened with regional delegates to review the contract. The caucus "does not believe the recommendations had the ability to protect our jobs now or into the future," ILWU Canada President Rob Ashton said in a press release.

"With the record profits that the BCMEA’s member companies have earned over the last few years, the employers have not addressed the cost of living issues that our workers have faced over the last couple of years as all workers have," he added.

The agreement was reached July 13 with the assistance of federal mediators and was slated for ratification by both parties. After the union announced the rejection, the strike resumed last night. The majority of ILWU Canada members work at the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert.

The BCMEA alleged that the caucus rejected the agreement before it was taken to a full vote by union membership, according to a BCMEA press release. The agreement included “considerable hikes in wages and benefits over and above the ~10% increase received over the past three years,” BCMEA officials said.

“The tentative settlement also included specific provisions that addressed the union’s concern regarding ‘contracting out’ work and measures to improve training, recruitment and retention of ILWU trades workers now and in the future. Specifically, the BCMEA agreed to provide benefit coverage for all casual trades workers, a tool allowance and a commitment to increase apprentices in the industry by 15%,” they added.