Latest news with #ILWU
CBC
5 days ago
- Business
- CBC
B.C. port foremen's union and employers ratify 4-year deal
Maritime employers in British Columbia and the union representing port foremen say they have ratified a new four-year collective agreement, after a dispute that saw workers locked out of container terminals last year. The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Ship and Dock Foremen Local 514 said in a joint statement that the new collective agreement extends from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2027. "We look forward to working together to implement the terms of the agreement," the two sides said in the statement. It is the second major labour deal for Canada's West Coast ports that will be in place until March 2027, after an earlier agreement with thousands of port workers that was signed in August 2023 following a strike. WATCH | Lockout initiated by port employers last year: Foremen set to be locked out amid contract dispute at B.C. ports 7 months ago Duration 2:49 Hundreds of foremen in Vancouver and Port Rupert were locked out by their employer, the B.C. Maritime Employers' Association, on Monday afternoon, with the employer calling it a "defensive action" after port workers served 72 hours strike notice. The union says the BCMEA is overreacting. The details of the new deal with supervisors have not been released, and neither the employers association nor the union representing roughly 700 supervisors immediately responded to requests for comment. They had been without a deal since the last accord expired in March 2023. The union had said port automation was a major concern, with supervisors wanting assurances on staffing levels regardless of the technology being used at B.C. ports. The negotiations were contentious at times, with Local 514 filing a complaint against the employers with the Canada Industrial Relations Board alleging direct contact with members during talks. The employers association had called the complaint meritless, noting its offer to the union at the time included a 19.2 per cent wage increase over the four-year term of the deal. The dispute took its most drastic turn on Nov. 4, when employers locked out members of Local 514 in what they called a defensive action. The union had voted to authorize strike action but said at the time that members were only planning partial job actions such as an overtime ban when they were locked out. Container cargo traffic at terminals on the West Coast were halted in the dispute, eventually prompting the federal government to step in on Nov. 12. That was when the federal labour minister at the time, Steven MacKinnon, directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order the resumption of all operations and move talks to binding arbitration.
Globe and Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
B.C. port supervisors' union ratifies new four-year deal with maritime employers
Maritime employers in British Columbia and the union representing port supervisors say they have ratified a new four-year collective agreement, after a dispute that saw workers locked out of container terminals last year. The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Ship and Dock Foremen Local 514 say the new collective agreement extends from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2027. They say in a joint statement that they look forward to working together to implement the agreement. The federal government had stepped in on Nov. 12 after B.C. ports were paralyzed by the dispute, directing the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order the resumption of all operations and move talks to binding arbitration. The employers had locked out members of Local 514 on Nov. 4 in what they called a defensive action. Container cargo traffic at terminals on the West Coast were halted in the dispute involving more than 700 longshore supervisors.
Hamilton Spectator
02-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
ILWU union hall grand opening marks major milestone for Rupert's maritime industry
Cheers and pride filled the waterfront community of Prince Rupert as they celebrated the opening of the much-anticipated International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 505's new union hall on May 27, 2025. The striking three-story blue building at 855 W 1st Ave features approximately 10,000 square foot of modern interior office spaces designed to serve Prince Rupert's growing portside workforce. It has a capacity of 240 people, providing ample space for meetings, negotiations and union events. The establishment is the result of an $8.2 million redevelopment project led and primarily funded by ILWU Local 505, with $2.6 million contributed by the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA), DP World, and the Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA). 'The new Union Hall is one of the largest commercial developments built in Prince Rupert's downtown core,' said the stakeholders in a joint press release. 'It is equipped with the resources to ensure that both longshore workers and the City of Prince Rupert can thrive in the evolving maritime industry. It will also drive economic vitality in northern B.C.' 'A Union Hall is more than a building; it is a home to build community. We live in rapidly changing times and our new home will be an invaluable tool to meet the challenges we face,' said Keith Cociani, President of ILWU Local 505. The ILWU officially chartered Prince Rupert's Local 505 on May 8, 1945. Before joining the ILWU, since 1910, the waterfront workers in the area were represented by the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) Local 38-41. Today, Local 505 represents Rupert's 700 active workers. Cociani proudly acknowledged the union workers' resilience through two world wars, noting that the port of Prince Rupert played a key role in supplying the South Pacific during WW2. He also highlighted the union's endurance through a global pandemic, shifting political landscapes, and the rise and fall of various industries. 'We've adapted, we've learned, we've grown,' he said. At the event, Local 505 also honoured Glen Edwards by bestowing the title of President Emeritus upon him in recognition of his dedication, leadership, and lasting impact on the port. Edwards began his remarkable career on the Prince Rupert waterfront in 1980 after moving from St. Lawrence, Newfoundland. He became a union member in 1993 and quickly advanced, serving on the board of directors in 1994, as a business agent in 1996, vice president in 1998, and president in 2000. Under his leadership, Local 505 overcame major challenges, including the closure of the break bulk terminal and pulp mill, and helped transform the Fairview Terminal into a competitive container facility. During his long tenure, which lasted until 2020, the longshore industry experienced unprecedented growth, and Glen became the longest-serving president in Local 505's history. After speeches from various project partners, the evening continued with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by tours of the new building. Guests then gathered for refreshments in the hall where the room buzzed with conversation, surrounded by archival photos, union memorabilia, and a shared sense of nostalgia. The evening closed on a note of reflection and hope for the stories that shaped Local 505 and for all that the new space will make possible in the years ahead. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Ferguson hosts press conference discussing tariff impacts
Standing with cranes and piers quieter than normal, Washington Democratic Governor Bob Ferguson announced he is signing on in support of a multi-state lawsuit against President Donald Trump's tariff policies. 'Washington businesses are experiencing severe disruptions, including halting plans to hire or expand due to increased uncertainty,' the brief Ferguson filed read. 'Businesses have to tighten up,' Ferguson said during a press conference Wednesday. 'They don't have the certainty on investments and employment.' The local chapter of the port workers' union, International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 19, says 'casual' workers — workers called upon to help fill in gaps in staffing to handle shipping traffic — have gone without work. The 175 casual workers support the 650 regular staff. ILWU president Mark Elverston says that with two piers closed and two open, people are going without work. 'They're not working right now because we have no container volume,' Elverston said. Washington is the nation's 9th highest exporter of goods, with about 160,000 jobs directly supported by the industry. When taking farming and other industries into account, regional economic development agencies estimate that 40% of jobs in the state rely on trade in some way. 'The important factor of this Trump negotiation with tariffs is creating a manufacturing economy in the United States of America,' Republican State Senator Phil Fortunato said. Sen. Fortunato sits on the state's Business, Financial Services, Gaming, and Trade Committee and represents Pierce County communities. Watch KIRO 7's Brandon Thompson live at 5 and 6 p.m. tonight for more.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tariffs: Fewer ships, fewer containers at the Port of Oakland
OAKLAND, Calif. - While the Trump administration works to hammer out a deal with China, the tariffs already in place are having a visible impact on our ports, and it's not just fewer container ships. Not only is there reduced traffic, the container ships that arrive often have fewer containers on board. The Port of Oakland operates around the clock, with ships coming and going all day and all night. Truckers who haul cargo say there's been a noticeable decrease in traffic since the tariffs went into place. "It's been kind of mid," said trucker Wayne Waldon. "Some days it's been busy. Mostly it hasn't. So, you know, that could be partially due to the tariffs and everything slowing it down." Before the tariffs, cargo ships would pull into port stacked high. Now longshoremen say they're seeing fewer containers. "Boxes can go down forever in the ship," said Steven Parker from ILWU Local #10. "But, now we're seeing that the ships are coming in, they're like skeleton ships. There are not a lot of containers on the ships, and we're used to seeing hundreds and hundreds of containers." The smaller loads and fewer ships have left some junior longshoremen scrambling for work. "I believe in April it was 14 ships that were canceled from China," said Parker. "May, 15 so far. Oh yeah it has really, really cost us here." Now the Trump administration has announced that the U.S. and China have reached an agreement to pause the tariffs for 90 days, lowering U.S. Tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30% and lowering tariffs on goods flowing from the U.S. To China from 125% to 10%. "But more importantly it leads us in a constructive path forward to, to have a positive conversation with the Chinese," said US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Longshoremen anticipate that suppliers will stockpile in this three-month window. They said that it takes nine to 10 days to make it from China to the Port of Oakland. So, they're expecting businesses to already be putting in orders to take advantage of the pause, meaning full ships by the end of the month. "I'm sure they're loading up those ships now," said Parker. "So, I believe in the next week or two we're going to start seeing a difference in the economy, difference in the ships that are coming in. So, I'd say in a couple weeks we're going to start seeing a big difference in what's happening." What's next Consumers can expect to see ripple effects from the on-again-off-again tariffs. Experts are saying the high tariffs will likely impact the fall shopping season, just in time for back to school. But this pause should mean that imports will be in place in time for the holidays.
