JULY 21, 2023 UPDATE: The ILWU strike notice has been retracted and labor operations at the Ports of Prince Rupert and Vancouver have returned to normal. The full schedule can be found on the Maersk website.
ILWU CANADA MEMBERS REJECT CONTRACT
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU) members rejected the contract brokered by federal mediators last week. ILWU Canada President Rob Ashton stated that “the term of the collective agreement that was given with today’s uncertain times, is far too long. We must be able to readdress the uncertainty in the world’s financial markets for our members.”
RETURN TO PICKET LINES
ILWU Canada began another round of labor action Tuesday night after voting down the collective bargaining agreement. Workers returned to the picket lines and did not report to work for their scheduled shifts. However, port workers were ordered to return to work by the Canada Industrial Relations Board which ruled the strike action was illegal for failure to provide legally required 72-hour notice.
In response, the union reissued a 72-hour strike notice on July 19, 2023. ILWU members will return to the picket lines Saturday, July 22, 2023.
SUPPLY CHAIN IMPACT
The nearly 2-week labor stoppage earlier this month disrupted operations at two of Canada’s busiest ports, Vancouver and Prince Rupert which are critical for moving natural resources, commodities, and raw materials. The impacted ports were beginning to work through the container and vessel backlog when the strike action was reissued.
Details of the contract are confidential at this time.
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