Port union warns Ottawa to 'stay out of our business,' as strike talks fail to reach deal
Strike at B.C. ports could impact global shipping and the Canadian economy
Negotiators attempting to end a strike by more than 7,000 port workers in B.C. failed to reach a deal Sunday as the union representing striking workers warned Ottawa to refrain from interfering.
Port workers across B.C. walked off the job Saturday morning in a wide-ranging job action that could impact worldwide shipping and the Canadian economy.
On Sunday afternoon, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) warned Ottawa against contemplating back-to-work legislation or imposing a contract, saying it would shatter "labour peace" in the province.
The strike affects about 7,400 terminal cargo loaders and 49 of the province's waterfront employers at more than 30 B.C. ports including Canada's busiest, Vancouver.
The union accused their employer, the B.C. Maritime Employers Association, of pushing for Ottawa to impose a deal, a move federal Labour Minister Seamus O'Regain said he is not contemplating.
"Labour peace in this industry comes from government staying out of the business between a union and their employers," ILWU Canada president Rob Ashton told reporters in Vancouver. "The federal government must stay out of our business."
O'Regan was in Vancouver throughout the weekend, saying he planned to remain during the talks. But in a statement his spokesperson said the bargaining table is where such disputes must be resolved.
According to the B.C. Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA)'s website, its members contribute $2.7 billion to the national GDP.
By Sunday evening, both sides failed to reach an agreement after two gruelling days in bargaining. One of their sessions was 33 hours long, according to the BCMEA.
"This labour disruption has shut down operations at the vast majority of B.C.'s marine terminals for five consecutive work shifts, damaging supply chains across the country and immediately impacting Canadians and businesses," the association wrote in a statement.
The association did not address allegations it wanted a government-imposed deal, but said it had so far made nine proposals to advance talks this weekend.
"We are — and have been since day one of negotiations — committed to reaching a fair and balanced deal," it said.
'We can't let this drag on'
Meanwhile, business organizations, such as the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, have called on the federal government to impose back-to-work legislation to end the labour disruption.
A spokesperson said the strike could cost the economy up to $5.5 billion for every week workers are off the job.
"We can't let this drag on," said Matthew Holmes, a senior vice president with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, on Sunday. "We need the government to intervene, and we need them to intervene quickly ... and force back-to-work legislation if that's required."
'A fair and balanced deal'
However, O'Regan said only bargaining between parties at the negotiating table will end the crisis.
O'Regan said on Twitter on Sunday that "the best deals for both parties" are reached at the table, and that federal mediators were assisting during the talks.
The BCMEA and ILWU are still at the negotiating table with federal mediators working towards a deal.<br><br>The focus needs to be on the table. All our energies must be directed at the table. <br><br>Because that’s where the best deals are reached. Canadians are counting on it.
—@SeamusOReganContracting out, port automation and cost of living are key issues behind the union's job action, according to the ILWU.
The job action has gained support from others in the labour movement. The Canadian Labour Congress said in a tweet Saturday "it stands in solidarity with the ILWU Canada in their fight to protect union jobs and secure a strong collective agreement." And the B.C. Federation of Labour also stated its support on Twitter.
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With files from Akshay Kulkarni, Baneet Braich and The Canadian Press.