'Do the work': Ottawa urges both sides in B.C. port dispute to restart talks
The federal government is urging both sides in the British Columbia port dispute to return to the table after Saturday's collapse of mediated talks to end the lockout at container terminals that has entered its second week.
A statement issued by the office of federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon on Monday said both the port employers and the union representing more than 700 longshore supervisors "must understand the urgency of the situation."
The statement also urged both sides to "do the work necessary to reach an agreement."
"Canadians are counting on them,” the statement from MacKinnon's office said.
The lockout at B.C. container terminals including those in Vancouver — Canada's largest port — began last week after the BC Maritime Employers Association said members of International Longshore and Warehouse Union Ship and Dock Foremen Local 514 began strike activity in response to a "final offer" from employers.
The union said the plan was only for an overtime ban and a refusal to implement automation technology, calling the provincewide lockout a reckless overreaction.
On Saturday, the two sides began what was scheduled to be up to three days of mediated talks, after MacKinnon spoke to both sides and said on social media that there was a "concerning lack of urgency" to resolve the dispute.
But the union said the talks lasted "less than one hour" Saturday without resolution, accusing the employers of cutting them off.
The employers denied ending the talks, saying the mediator concluded the discussions after "there was no progress made" in talks conducted separately with the association and the union.
"The BCMEA went into the meeting with open minds and seeking to achieve a negotiated settlement at the bargaining table," a statement from the employers said.
"In a sincere effort to bring these drawn-out negotiations to a close, the BCMEA provided a competitive offer to ILWU Local 514 … the offer did not require any concessions from the union and, if accepted, would have ended this dispute.
The employers said the offer includes a 19.2 per cent wage increase over a four-year term along with an average lump sum payment of $21,000 per qualified worker, but the union said it did not address staffing levels given the advent of port automation technology in terminals such as DP World's Centerm in Vancouver.
After talks broke off, the union accused the employers of "showing flagrant disregard for the seriousness of their lockout."
Local 514 president Frank Morena said in a statement on Saturday that the union is "calling on the actual individual employers who run the terminals to order their bargaining agent — the BCMEA — to get back to the table."
"We believe the individual employers who actually run the terminals need to step up and order their bargaining agent to get back to the table and start negotiations and stop the confrontation,” Morena said.
No further talks are currently scheduled.
According to the Canada Labour Code, the labour minister or either party in a dispute can request a mediator to "make recommendations for settlement of the dispute or the difference."
In addition, Section 107 of the Code gives the minister additional powers to take action that "seem likely to maintain or secure industrial peace and to promote conditions favourable to the settlement of industrial disputes," and could direct the Canada Industrial Relations Board "to do such things as the Minister deems necessary."
Liam McHugh-Russell, assistant professor at Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University, said Section 107 "is very vague about what it allows a minister to do."
"All it says is that the minister can refer a problem and a solution to the Labour Board. They can ask the Labour Board to try and solve the problem," he said.
"Maybe the minister will try to do that. It remains to be seen."
The other option if mediated talks fail — beyond the parties reaching a solution on their own — would be a legislated return to work, which would be an exception to the normal way labour negotiations operate under the Labour Code.
Parliament is not scheduled to sit this week and will return on Nov. 18.
The labour strife at B.C. ports is happening at the same time another dispute is disrupting Montreal, Canada's second-largest port.
The employers there locked out almost 1,200 workers on Sunday night after a "final" offer was not accepted, greatly reducing operations.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 11, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Biden greets Trump with handshake in Oval Office meeting
Joe Biden greeted Donald Trump with a handshake in their Oval Office meeting Wednesday, each pledging a smooth transition from Democrat to Republican.
'You couldn't open the door': Concerns over awareness of and access to Tesla emergency latch after 4 killed in Toronto, 5 killed in Wisconsin
When a Tesla crashed on Lakeshore Boulevard in Toronto last month, the first people on scene knew there were occupants inside but couldn't immediately get them out.
Overwhelmed families surrendering custody of their children to CAS
Overwhelmed families in Ontario are having to surrender their children to the Children's Aid Society, and according to the society, the residential crisis is part of the problem.
Trump's defence choice stuns the Pentagon and raises questions about the Fox News host's experience
President-elect Donald Trump stunned the Pentagon and the broader defence world by nominating Fox News host Pete Hegseth to serve as his defence secretary, tapping someone largely inexperienced and untested on the global stage to take over the world's largest and most powerful military.
How are you preparing for a possible Canada Post strike? We want to hear from you
CTVNews.ca wants to speak to Canadians of all backgrounds, whether you're a parent, student, worker, professional or business owner, about their concerns regarding a possible Canada Post strike or lockout.
opinion King Charles and Prince William's secret millions exposed in new documentary
A new Channel 4 documentary has revealed unexpected details about the vast financial empire of King Charles III and Prince William, which has triggered public debate about royal wealth.
Trump's appointees have criticized Trudeau, warned of border issues with Canada
Donald Trump's second administration is filling up with some of his most loyal supporters and many of the people landing top jobs have been critical of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and security at Canada's border.
W5 investigation How did thieves steal your car? Maybe with a device they ordered online
Digital devices that a Toronto-area police department warns are used in the most common method of stealing cars are for sale online for anyone to buy, a W5 investigation has found.
Japanese owner of 7-Eleven receives another offer to rival Couche-Tard bid
The Japanese owner of 7-Eleven says it has received a new management buyout proposal from a member of the family that helped found the company.