Update: 07.08.2023

Around 75% of International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Canada voted in favour of the third agreement reached with the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA), announced the ILWU.

This ends more than a month of instability and uncertainty at the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert.

According to the BCMEA, the agreement is said to increase wages, benefits and training that recognizes the skills and efforts of the port workers.

Labour disruptions began on 1 July when ILWU members went on strike to secure better pay and working conditions. After more than 35 days of negotiations, including almost two weeks of strikes, a third tentative deal was put forward to vote last week.

The labour disruptions and uncertainty around the negotiations have caused significant disruptions to not only Canadian supply chains but also cargo moving to the US Midwest through these west coast ports.

"The BCMEA recognizes and regrets the profound repercussions this labour disruption has had on the national economy, workers, businesses and ultimately, all Canadians that depend on an efficient and reliable supply chain, " said the BCMEA in a statement.

"All supply chain stakeholders must collaborate now to ensure we do not see disruptions like this ever again,"

A joint statement from Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez, and Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan Jr echos these sentiments, adding that federal officials will conduct a review of the negotiations to bring stability to the ports of British Columbia in the future.

No further statement on the ratification has been released by ILWU Canada as yet.

According to Kuehne+Nagal data, the 7-day vessel waiting time at the port of Vancouver improved to 4 days from 5.45 days a week ago. There are currently 4 vessels in port and 6 vessels scheduled to arrive this week. Moreover, rail operators expect the backlog at rail terminals to take 8 weeks to clear.

Attention now turns to the port of Montreal, where the labour contract expires at the end of December this year.

Update: 03.08.2023

At the Port of Vancouver yesterday, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Canada conducted an information session for its members on the tentative agreement reached with the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA).

According to the port's customer advisory, operations resumed after the session at 16:30 PST.

In a separate notice to union members, Rob Ashton, President of ILWU Canada, issued a motion recommending the settlement terms. The letter also announced voting to ratify the new agreement would take place on Thursday, 3 August and Friday, 4 August.

While members vote, regular operations will continue, assured the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority in an update to customers.

As of 3 August, five container vessels are at berth, four at anchor, and two awaiting entry into the port’s jurisdiction.

For more information on the vessels at berth and due to arrive at the Port of Vancouver, visit our seaexplorer platform.

Original article: 27.07.2023

Yesterday, 30 July, the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Canada (ILWU Canada) announced they concluded a negotiated agreement with the assistance of the Canada Industrial Relations Board.

The news comes only days after ILWU Canada disclosed that its membership voted ‘no’ to the terms of the previous settlement offered by mediators. According to a press release issued after the rejection, the union highlighted, “The critical issue is the practice of contracting out maintenance work that poses a significant threat to job security and the integrity of the ILWU workforce.”

Despite the rejection, the union did not issue a strike notice and assured the public that it “remains open to further negotiations with the BCMEA.”

However, hours after the release of this statement, a joint press release was published to announce the new tentative agreement.

“The ILWU Canada Longshore Bargaining committee is happy to announce that we have secured a negotiated tentative settlement with the BCMEA. This will be presented to our members as per our constitution,” said the union.

Operations at the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert resumed operations last week, although no clear settlement was reached at the time. Today’s seaexplorer data show that the 7-day average vessel waiting time at Prince Rupert is 1.25 days and 5.4 days in Vancouver.