ILWU Canada Votes to Ratify New Labor Deal

"As we move forward to implement the terms of the agreement, we are committed to working collaboratively with our labour partners, the federal government and key stakeholders to rebuild the reputation of Canada’s largest gateway," the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) said in announcing that a labor agreement it had ratified was also ratified by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada late last week.

The ILWU Canada voted 74.66% in favor of ratifying the two sides' new labor agreement, ILWU Canada and BCMEA said in separate statements posted online Aug. 4 after 8 p.m. PDT. The BCMEA had ratified the agreement July 31.

"The agreement was reached after five months of negotiations, conciliation and mediation, and five weeks of labour instability at B.C.’s ports," BCMEA said. "The renewed collective agreement includes increases in wages, benefits and training that recognizes the skills and efforts of B.C.’s waterfront workforce, while providing certainty and stability for the future of Canada’s West Coast ports."

Ratification comes after both parties reached a second tentative agreement July 30. A previous tentative deal had been reached, but ILWU Canada's Longshore Division voted against it July 28 (see 2307310029).