Ports at Vancouver and Prince Rupert, B.C., may soon re-open because union employer leaders have reached agreement on a federal mediator’s report aimed at ending a strike that began July 1.
The agreement needs to win approval from 7,400 B.C. port workers and 49 employers.
Peter Simpson, director-general of the federal mediation and conciliation service, drafted the document that recommended the deal that has led to the tentative settlement.
Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan e-mailed the contract proposal to the two sides at 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, setting a 24-hour deadline for responses in hopes of ending the walkout.
About 6,000 of the ILWU’s members are in the Vancouver region and about 1,000 in the Prince Rupert area in northern B.C. and the rest work on Vancouver Island.
The BC Maritime Employers Association warned that the economic impact has been widespread. The strike entered its 13th day on Thursday.
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union has listed contracting out as one of its three key issues. The other two main concerns are cost-of-living wage increases and the impact of automation on job security.
