Workers ordered to resume operations at B.C. and Quebec ports

The Canadian government is stepping in and invoking binding arbitration at B.C. and Quebec ports, ordering workers to resume operations.

“I have directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order that all operations and duties at the ports resume and to assist the parties to settle their collective agreements by imposing final and binding arbitration,” Minister of Labour Steven MacKinnon said during a press conference.

MacKinnon also ordered that the terms of the existing collective agreements until new ones are established.

The Maritime Employers Association (MEA) said it welcomes the government’s decision to intervene by asking the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to order binding arbitration to resolve the “total impasse” in the dispute with Longshoremen’s Union CUPE 375 and awaits instructions from the CIRB on next steps.

The Port of Montreal Longshore Union CUPE Local 375 rejected a final offer from the MEA resulting in a lockout at the port Nov. 10.

“The end of this labour dispute means that we can resume operations and aim to restart supply chains across all our activities as soon as possible. I thank those who are facilitating the resumption of operations for our partners and clients. Restoring services will allow us to resume international trade, benefiting thousands of businesses and consumers who rely on reliable and smooth port activities,” said Julie Gascon, president and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority.

At a press briefing this morning, the minister noted that despite a lengthy negotiation process and the intervention of specialists from his department’s Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, negotiations had reached an impasse.

The B.C. Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) said it intends to follow direction received from the CIRB and will inform member employers of operational updates as soon as possible.

“We look forward to safely resuming operations across Canada’s West Coast Ports,” BCMEA said in a release. “The BCMEA and its members are committed to working to strengthen Canada’s reputation as a trusted trading partner and rebuilding labour stability for the long-term.”

International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 514 workers’ strike activity commenced at 8 a.m. Nov. 4 at the Port of Vancouver’s BCMEA member terminals.

Port of Quebec workers have been locked out for more than two years with replacement workers filling in since.