By Canadian Press

A quick look at the ongoing strike by British Columbia port workers

Jul 5, 2023 | 1:56 PM

VANCOUVER — About 7,400 workers have been on strike at ports along British Columbia’s coast since Saturday morning.

Contract talks between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada and the BC Maritime Employers Association broke down Monday.

Here are some key facts in the dispute:

— The union represents workers who load and unload cargo at terminals at more than 30 B.C. ports, including Canada’s busiest, the Port of Vancouver.

— The association represents 49 private-sector employers and its website says the industry contributes $2.7 billion to Canada’s GDP while handling roughly 16 per cent of the country’s total traded goods.

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— The union’s previous contract expired at the end of March after negotiations aimed at reaching a new deal began in February.

— In early June, union members voted 99.24 per cent in favour of authorizing strike action if required.

— Workers walked off the job Saturday and contract talks stalled Monday, with the union saying the employers had changed their position on a key issue.

— A statement from the union on Tuesday said the key issue holding up a deal is the contracting out of maintenance work by employers. It said the employers’ association and its member companies had refused to agree on a regular maintenance document that is complete except for one sentence.

— The employers’ association also cited maintenance as a key sticking point, but said the union was trying to “aggressively” expand its jurisdiction over the work. It said Monday it didn’t believe more bargaining would produce a deal and said the union was being unreasonable when it came to compensation.

— The union has previously said contracting out, port automation and the cost of living are key issues in the dispute.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 5, 2023.

The Canadian Press