Federal mediators on site for negotiations between B.C. port employer and union

Federal mediators are on standby to help negotiate between British Columbia port employers and the union and prevent disruptions to port operations. Canadian Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon said in a statement on social media Saturday evening that he had spoken with the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association and the union representing more than 700 supervisors who are negotiating their new collective agreement.

Both sides have a responsibility to reach an agreement, he said, adding: "Businesses, workers and farmers depend on their agreement."

Neither the union nor the employer immediately responded to requests for an update Sunday.

The employers' association and International Freight and Warehouse Workers Union Local 514 have been negotiating for nearly two years to renew their collective agreement, which expires in March 2023.

On Thursday, the union issued a 72-hour notice of industrial action starting at 8 a.m. Monday. The move prompted the employers' association to announce that it would "defensively" lock out union members from then on.

On Saturday, the employers' association released details of their "final offer" which they presented to the union on Wednesday. The offer included a 19.2 percent increase over the four-year agreement, from April 2023 to March 31, 2027. Also included in the proposal is a 16 percent increase in retirement benefits, a 10 percent increase in employer contributions to the welfare program and a lump sum averaging $21,000 for eligible employees, which includes back pay since the contract expired.

Frank Morena, president of the Freight and Warehousing Workers International Union Local 514, was not available for comment on the proposed contract, but previously said workers were upset by employers' unwillingness to negotiate on key issues such as staffing needs in the face of increased automation at ports. are

The union also accused the employers of not showing up for talks on Thursday, the last scheduled day of mediation talks, and criticized them for not notifying others of their absence.

The Port of Vancouver — Canada's largest — has been disrupted recently by labor unrest, including a multi-day strike at several grain terminals in September and a work stoppage involving both of Canada's major railways in August.

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