BC Ports dispute: Talks scheduled for this weekend

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 (ILWU Local 514) and BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) are scheduled to resume talks on Saturday November 9.

After the Union issued its 72-hour strike notice, the BCMEA locked out more than 700 workers at ports across British Columbia on November 4th.

With a partial closure already affecting two terminals at the Port of Montreal due to a separate labor dispute, this new stoppage could result in significant shipping backlogs for businesses as the holiday season nears.

A representative for the ILWU Local 514 said they have been called back to the table with the B.C. Maritime Employers Association and federal mediators on Saturday, and that Sunday and Monday have been set aside for talks to continue.

Canada’s West Coast ports handle a significant portion of the country’s imports entering by sea, accounting for approximately 25% of the goods flowing through the country.