By Canadian Press

B.C. port strike continues as talks stall

Jul 4, 2023 | 8:54 AM

VANCOUVER – The union representing thousands of striking B.C. port workers is urging the employers association to come back to the table after talks fell apart Monday.

Rob Ashton, president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada, says it’s unrealistic to think that a collective agreement imposed on both sides will result in long-term labour stability in the industry.

Workers who load and unload cargo at more than 30 B.C. ports went on strike on Saturday. The strike at more than 30 British Columbia ports enters its fourth day on Tuesday.

The BC Maritime Employers Association says it doesn’t believe further negotiations will lead to a new deal.

It says the union’s demands were quote “outside any reasonable framework for settlement.”

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Ashton says the two sides were close to agreeing on a particularly contentious issue around regular maintenance work when the association decided to change their position in an attempt to muddy the water.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 3, 2023.

The Canadian Press