Image Credit: Canadian Press
port strike

Port strike back on

Jul 18, 2023 | 4:20 PM

VANCOUVER — Employers say union leaders representing British Columbia’s port workers have rejected a mediator’s tentative agreement that had ended strike action last week.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada and the B.C. Maritime Employers Association first announced a tentative agreement was reached last week, but the employer said the union — representing thousands of port workers — has backed out.

“We regret to advise that ILWU Canada (ILWU) has communicated that ILWU’s internal caucus leadership rejected the tentative agreement, before it was even taken to a vote of the full union membership. We’ve also been informed of ILWU’s intent to engage in strike activity at 16:30 today.”

The 13-day strike that ended last Thursday involved about 7,400 port workers at more than 30 port terminals and other sites across the province.