ILWU and BCMEA sign agreement to end labor dispute

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU)  Canada, and the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) have signed an agreement to finally end the year long labor dispute.

Canadian longshoremen ratified an 8 year contract, that includes a 3.5 per cent wage hike, benefit increases and insurance benefits for maternity and paternity leave. The union members also agreed a cost of living factor during the final three years of the 8 year term.

As reported by PTI, both parties had been unable to come to an agreement since the previous contract ended in March last year, with the ongoing dispute beginning to become a serious threat to Canada's role in the Asia-Pacific trade gateway.

The stability of labor in the British Columbia region for the forseeable future could not have been timed better, as the ports of Vancouver and Prince Ruper have been busy promoting the “Pacific Gateway” for North American trade with Asia.

“The interests of ILWU Canada members and the employer are aligned when it comes to having an agreement that delivers reliability and predictability in the workplace, this is a win-win agreement,” says Tom Dufresne, ILWU Canada President, via a statement  published on the union website.

With previous contracts lasting no longer than three years, the longer deal is hoped to eliminate the long drawn out process of collective bargaining that has become a custom in previous years.