By The Canadian Press

Labour Minister takes steps to end B.C. port workers strike

Jul 12, 2023 | 10:22 AM

Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan is stepping in to the 12-day-old strike that has shut down all B.C. ports, including Vancouver, the busiest port in Canada.

O’Regan said in a statement issued last night that the difference between the employer’s and the union’s positions is not sufficient to justify a continued work stoppage.

He said the two sides have a “good deal within reach,” so he has asked the federal mediator to send him a written recommendation for a settlement within 24 hours.

O’Regan added the proposal will then be forwarded to the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the B.C. Maritime Employers Association and they will have one day to decide whether or not to ratify.

B.C. Premier David Eby has already said that any settlement to resolve disruptions at the ports must be long-term.

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Eby made the comments at the national premier’s conference in Winnipeg before the labour minister ordered the mediator in the port strike to send him recommendations to resolve the walkout.

Eby also said his colleagues are unified in calling for an end to the dispute and O’Regan’s statement, issued last night, supports the sentiment.

The statement said the relationship between port employers and longshore workers is important to Canada’s national interest and the work stoppage cannot be allowed to persist and risk further damage to that relationship.

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by The Canadian Press