LABOUR relations on Canada’s west coast continue to deteriorate, with both sides threatening action early next week that would disrupt ports such as Vancouver and Prince Rupert.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 gave the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association, which represents terminal operators and shipping companies, a 72-hour notice of strike, set to begin on Monday, November 4 at 0800 hrs.

The strike will include an overtime ban and a refusal to implement tech change, ILWU Local 514 said.

In response, BCMEA has threatened to lock out ILWU Local 514 members from 0900 hrs on the same day “to facilitate a safe and orderly wind-down of operations”. The lockout would shut down all cargo operations at BCMEA member companies the BCMEA said, including DP World terminals in Vancouver and Prince Rupert.

ILWU Local 514 represents more than 700 ship and dock forepersons on Canada’s west coast. The union has been without a contract since March 2023.

In a statement on October 31, ILWU 514 president Frank Morena said his members were “extremely angry that not only has the BCMEA continuously refused to bargain on the major issues, including manning, but are now threatening to close the entire waterfront with a full-scale lockout in their attempt to force the federal government to intervene in the dispute”.

BCMEA it provided a final offer to the union that includes a 19.2% wage increase and a C$21,000 lump sum ($15,076). BCMEA said its offer remains on the table and the association is prepared to rescind the lock out notice if ILWU Local 514 withdraws its strike notice.

Canada’s ports have been blighted by industrial action over the past 18 months. Dockworkers went on strike for nearly two weeks in July 2023 across the west coast before an agreement was reached with BCMEA.

The east coast has not been immune to industrial action either. Workers continue to strike at Montreal after union members voted to walk out indefinitely at two container terminals operated by Termont.