B.C. port lockout: Operations to resume Thursday, employer says

Operations at ports in British Columbia are expected to resume on Thursday following the federal government’s intervention in a contentious labour dispute.

The B.C. Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) announced on Wednesday that the Canada Industrial Relations Board had ordered operations to restart on Nov. 14.

This development follows an order from federal Labour Minister Steve MacKinnon, who directed the employer and locked-out port workers to return to negotiations and enter binding arbitration.

The BCMEA stated that dispatching functions will begin with Thursday’s day shift, while maintenance and other operations could start in the afternoon, depending on the specific conditions at each terminal.

“With the resumption of work and a high volume of vessels and cargo expected, there will be significant labour demands across all port areas in the province,” the association noted.

The locked-out workers, represented by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514, have stated that they plan to challenge both the back-to-work order and the arbitration directive.

The BCMEA added that the industrial relations board has scheduled a hearing for Monday to address issues raised regarding the ministerial order.

The labour dispute began on Nov. 4, when the BCMEA implemented a lockout after negotiations with the union broke down.

Although the union had given notice of a potential strike on the same day, it claims the job action was intended to be limited. The union argues that the employer’s actions were an overreaction, forcing federal intervention.

The BCMEA said its final offer to workers included a 19-percent wage increase over four years, along with a signing bonus. However, workers have emphasized that job security in light of increasing automation remains the primary point of contention.