British Columbia Union Calls Strike over Contracting Out, Port Automation & Cost Of Living

Padmesh Prabhune

The union representing port workers in British Columbia has issued a 72-hour strike notice and its members are ready to walk off the jobs beginning Saturday July 01, 2023.  The strike notice is likely to affect over 7,000 terminal cargo loaders at 30 B.C. ports.

International Longshore & Warehouse Union Canada workers will strike beginning July 1 after a recent landslide vote by more than 99% of members that authorized the action and still no labor deal has been reached. In B.C. the collective agreement between cargo loading workers and the employers association expired on March 30, and they have been negotiating a new contract since February this year.

Canadian West Coast ports handle almost $225 billion worth of cargo a year, and are vital to Midwest manufacturers and the auto industry. Approximately 15% of container trade moving through the Port of Vancouver is destined to or from the U.S., with items transported by rail including many consumer products, from apparel to electronics and home goods.

Rob Ashton, President, ILWU Canada said, “Their only objective is to take away rights and conditions from longshore workers after having gorged themselves on record profits during the pandemic.”

BCMEA was quick to respond that it has advanced multiple proposals and positions, “with the objective of making progress and achieving a fair deal at the table.”

ILWU Canada in its statement noted, “Longshore workers kept this province and the country running during the pandemic, and when Canadians were told to shelter in place, our people went to work. We worked in difficult and hazardous conditions to ensure that the communities where we live, and all Canadians, had the necessary supplies and personal protective equipment to defend against the COVID-19 virus.”

A trade analyst has said the potential strike could have dire consequences for not only the Canadian economy, but globally, as well for, longshore workers handle the loading and unloading of not only containers for items such as household goods and electronics, but also bulk commodities such as potash, lumber and agri-foods.

-Marex Media