Notice to Commence Collective Bargaining

On November 30, 2022, the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association provided Notice to Commence Collective Bargaining (“Notice”) to the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU) and ILWU Local 514 to renew Collective Agreements between the parties. 

Notice is required pursuant to the Canada Labour Code and collective agreements to be served four (4) months before the expiry of the current collective agreements. These agreements cover wages, benefits, hours of work and employment conditions for over 7,400 longshore workers and foremen at Canada’s West Coast ports. The current agreements expire on March 31, 2023. 

The BCMEA will be scheduling bargaining dates with the ILWU Canada and ILWU Local 514 which we expect to commence in January 2023. 

The BCMEA is committed to negotiations that recognize the efforts and skills of B.C.’s waterfront workforce, while also ensuring West Coast ports remain competitive, resilient and affordable for all Canadians.