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ILWU Canada in u-turn, to recommend labour agreement to members

In an about face the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU Canada) is to recommend a tentative agreement for a new four-year labour contract in a ballot of its membership.

Marcus Hand, Editor

July 24, 2023

1 Min Read
Cranes by the water at Port of Vancouver
Port of Vancouver

Just days after the ILWU Canada’s Caucus rejected the tentative agreement put forward by state mediators on 13 July without putting it to a vote of its membership the union has changed its mind.

“On Tuesday, July 25, 2023, there will be a Stop Work meeting for the 0800 shift to recommend the Terms of Settlement to the membership,” ILWU Canada said in a statement on Friday.

The change in course follows the intervention of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week, who called an emergency meeting after the unions rejected the tentative deal and called over 7,000 dockworkers in British Columbia back out on strike.

A 13 day strike at the start of July hit the Canada’s largest port of Vancouver as well as Prince Rupert and disrupted billions of dollars worth of trade putting Canadian business leaders up in arms.

The tentative agreement has already been accepted by employers represented by the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA).

“The tentative agreement presented is the result of months of negotiations and mediation; we are hopeful that the voting membership, like the ILWU Caucus Leadership and Bargaining Committee, will support the fair and equitable deal as recommended by the senior federal mediator,” BCMEA said in a statement.

Related:ILWU Canada withdraws port strike notice after PM calls crisis meeting

About the Author

Marcus Hand

Editor

Marcus Hand is the editor of Seatrade Maritime News and a dedicated maritime journalist with over two decades of experience covering the shipping industry in Asia.

Marcus is also an experienced industry commentator and has chaired many conferences and round tables. Before joining Seatrade at the beginning of 2010, Marcus worked for the shipping industry journal Lloyd's List for a decade and before that the Singapore Business Times covering shipping and aviation.

In November 2022, Marcus was announced as a member of the Board of Advisors to the Singapore Journal of Maritime Talent and Technology (SJMTT) to help bring together thought leadership around the key areas of talent and technology.

Marcus is the founder of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast that delivers commentary, opinions and conversations on shipping's most important topics.

Conferences & Webinars

Marcus Hand regularly moderates at international maritime events. Below you’ll find a list of selected past conferences and webinars.

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