Threat of Canada West Coast port strike grows

In June ILWU Local 514 rejected a final offer from DP World (Canada) over a manning agreement and the introduction of automation. A local strike called by ILWU Local 514 was deemed illegal by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) on 7 July.

Hearings at the CIRB between the ILWU and the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) were set to resume on 6 – 9 August over the manning proposal by DP World (Canada).

BCMEA said on Friday (26 July)that the ILWU Local 514’s legal counsel had notified all parties of intention by the union to hold an industry wide strike vote in coming weeks that would take until at least 9 August to complete.  “While regrettable, ILWU Local 514’s decision to proceed with an industry-wide strike vote is predictable, given the CIRB’s July 7, 2024, decision which deemed the Union’s previous strike vote and related strike notice to DP World (Canada) Inc. illegal,” BCMEA said.

If union members vote in favour of a strike at ports across British Columbia the ILWU has to give 72-hour notice of the planned strike action.

Strike action would impact both the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert major container gateways on the Canadian West Coast.

A strike by ILWU (Canada) members in July last year over a four-year labour deal with the BCMEA paralysed Canadian West Coast ports for 13 days and was only resolved when the federal government stepped in.