ILWU Canada, BCMEA Reach New Tentative Agreement After Rejecting Previous One

Canada's International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) reached a new tentative labor agreement days after ILWU members voted against the previous tentative deal, ILWU Canada and BCMEA announced July 30. BCMEA said both sides are again "recommending ratification of the collective agreement to the union’s membership and member employers."

The announcement came about a week after ILWU Canada agreed to the original settlement terms proposed by federal mediators and was preparing to propose the deal to its members (see 2307210073). But ILWU Canada said its Longshore Division voted against the proposed terms July 28. After the vote, ILWU Canada President Rob Ashton called on "our direct employers to come to the table and negotiate something that works for our members and the industry."

Although both sides have since reached a new tentative deal, the agreement must still be ratified by union members. "Our ports are operating, but this deal -- made by the parties -- would mean long-term stability," Canada's Minister of Labour Seamus O'Regan said July 31. O'Regan on July 29 sent the negotiations to the Canada Industrial Relations Board to determine whether ILWU Canada's rejection of the tentative agreement "eliminated the possibility of a negotiated resolution" and, if so, to impose a new agreement or final binding arbitration to "resolve outstanding terms of the collective agreement."

After ILWU members rejected the original agreement, BCMEA said July 28 that "ILWU Canada’s inability to ratify a fair and balanced recommended tentative agreement has left Canadians, businesses and the entire supply chain in a perilous state that has cost billions and will further hurt affordability and increase costs for Canadians."

Ashton on July 30 said the main issue delaying ratification is the "practice of contracting out maintenance work," which poses a "significant threat to job security and the integrity of the ILWU workforce." Union members were "deeply concerned that, if unchecked, this practice will lead to an erosion of our workforce and expertise, ultimately jeopardizing the stability and efficiency of Canada’s maritime industry," Ashton said. While ILWU Canada acknowledged the progress made in the negotiations, its members' rejection of the tentative agreement "reflects their collective need to limit contracting out maintenance work coupled with training and updating skills," Ashton said.