BCMEA Negotiations Updates

BCMEA & ILWU Local 514 Joint News Release

The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Ship & Dock Foremen Local 514 (ILWU Local 514) have ratified a new four-year collective agreement. 

The new collective agreement extends from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2027.

We look forward to working together to implement the terms of the agreement.

Last updated: June 4, 2025, 5:00 PM PT

BCMEA Negotiations Updates

Resumption of Operations

This morning the Canada Industrial Relations Board issued an order directing the BCMEA and all its members to resume operations on November 14, 2024, and to continue operations and duties until the Board makes a final determination.

The BCMEA will fully comply with the interim order from the CIRB. As such, effective Thursday, November 14, 2024, dispatching functions will commence on the day shift.  Maintenance and operations may begin on the 16:30 shift and are subject to individual terminal operating realities. 

With the resumption of work, coupled with an anticipated high volume of vessels and cargo, there will be extensive province-wide labour requirements across all port areas. 

In partnership with our member employers, the BCMEA is committed to working closely with ILWU Local 514, ILWU longshore locals and supply chain partners to safely and efficiently resume operations at Canada’s West Coast ports.  

The CIRB has scheduled a hearing on Monday, November 18, 2024 to hear the Parties on certain questions raised with respect to the ministerial direction under Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code. 

Last updated: November 13, 2024, 4:35 PM PT

BCMEA Negotiations Updates

Minister of Labour Orders End to Labour Disruption at Ports; Imposes Binding Arbitration 

This morning at 10 am ET, Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon announced he will use his powers under Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code and direct the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to order Parties at ports in Quebec and across Canada’s West Coast to resume operations and duties, and to impose binding arbitration on the Parties in order to reach a settlement. 

The BCMEA intends to follow direction received from the CIRB and will inform member employers of operational updates as soon as possible.   

We look forward to safely resuming operations across Canada’s West Coast Ports. The BCMEA and its members are committed to working to strengthen Canada’s reputation as a trusted trading partner and rebuilding labour stability for the long-term.  

Moving over $800 million of cargo a day, Canada’s West Coast Ports are integral to our supply chain, trading relationships, economy and ultimately the lives of all Canadians. 

We will continue to provide updates as necessary.

Last updated: November 12, 2024, 10:00 AM PT

BCMEA Negotiations Updates

FMCS Mediation Concludes Without Resolution

This evening the BCMEA and ILWU Local 514 met with the assistance of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) in Vancouver. The Parties met separately with the FMCS and, based on the discussions that transpired, there was no progress made. On that basis, the FMCS concluded the mediation, and no further meetings are scheduled.  

The BCMEA has been working in good faith for nearly two years to seek an agreement that is beneficial for B.C.’s waterfront workforce and Canada’s supply chain.  

We will continue to provide updates as appropriate.  

Last updated: November 9, 2024, 7:40 PM PT

BCMEA Negotiations Updates

Parties to Meet with FMCS

The BCMEA and ILWU Local 514 are scheduled to meet with the assistance of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) on Saturday, November 9 at 17:00 PT. 

In a sincere effort to bring these drawn-out negotiations to a close, the BCMEA provided a competitive final offer to ILWU Local 514 on October 30, 2024. The final offer has been on the table for over a week and represents a fair and balanced proposal for employees, and if accepted would end this dispute. The offer does not require any concessions from the union.  

The final offer includes: 

• An increase in median foreperson compensation from $246,323 to $293,617. 
• An average $21,000 lump sum payment.
• Increase to retirement benefit from $93,750 to $108,750, over and above pension entitlements. 

ILWU Local 514 responded to the final offer with strike notice followed by industry-wide strike action on Monday, November 4.  

This afternoon, ILWU Local 514 filed a complaint at the CIRB, in which it has complained about the BCMEA’s conduct in bargaining. As with earlier union complaints – all dismissed by the CIRB – we will be denying any wrongdoing. 

Despite the distraction of having to defend against what we view to be another meritless claim, the BCMEA remains committed to negotiating a fair and equitable agreement that recognizes the efforts and skills of the waterfront workforce and restores supply chain operations as quickly as possible.    

We will continue to provide updates as appropriate.  

Last updated: November 7, 2024, 6:30 PM PT

BCMEA Negotiations Updates

BCMEA Sets the Record Straight on ILWU Local Leadership Claims

Throughout nearly two years of negotiations with ILWU Local 514, the BCMEA has prioritized getting to a reasonable, balanced deal that recognizes the hard work of the 730 forepersons working at Canada’s West Coast ports. 

This effort is despite the ongoing issues with the conduct of ILWU Local 514 leadership, including President Frank Morena. Over the past six months, ILWU Local 514 leadership has been found to have bargained in bad faith by the Canada Industrial Relations Board three times, including an attempt at an illegal strike in July 2024.   

THE FACTS
The only reason there is a labour disruption shutting down Canada’s West Coast ports is because Mr. Morena initiated industry-wide strike action effective 0800 PT November 4. The BCMEA is asking ILWU Local 514 leadership to sign a similar agreement that their Longshore counterparts agreed to after a prolonged dispute in July 2023. Many of the issues the union leadership claims are in contention were effectively solved with the Longshore agreement. Instead of meaningfully considering the industry’s final offer, ILWU Local 514’s leadership issued industry-wide strike notice with strike activity commencing this morning.

Furthermore, contrary to Mr. Morena’s claims: 

• The BCMEA Bargaining Committee has never missed a scheduled bargaining session with federal mediators and the union;
• The BCMEA is not requiring any concessions of the union in our final offer, nor is the final offer removing any items from the existing collective agreement;   
• The BCMEA has been transparent that aspects of the offer could change if negotiations drag on and the economic and inflationary landscape shifts, including as a result of a union strike. As such, if the BCMEA’s final offer is rejected, any subsequent offer will no longer include the proposed signing bonus and the wage offer will change to 2% in Years 3 and 4, respectively. For clarity, the recently terminated collective agreement does not guarantee a signing bonus nor any set wage increase – like other bargaining processes, these terms have to be negotiated.  
• We are not asking ILWU Local 514 leadership to waive the technological change notice provisions under the Canada Labour Code. These notice provisions have been waived by agreement of both parties for decades and are what allow ILWU Local 514 members to receive payment upon retirement.  If the final offer is accepted, the ILWU Local 514 retirement payment is to increase to $108,750 above and beyond their pension and benefits.  

The final offer also includes:  

• Increase to median foreperson compensation from $246,323 to $293,617.
• Average $21,000 lump sum signing bonus, including retroactive pay.  

This final offer not only matches what was ratified by the ILWU Longshore last year, but includes specific additional elements catered to the needs of ILWU Local 514 members. The BCMEA is not requiring any concessions of the union. The offer remains open until withdrawn.

ILWU Local 514’s industry-wide strike activity is untenable for West Coast port operators and their supply chain partners who are involved in complex multi-billion-dollar equipment that relies on stability, reliability, and forecasting to function. Accordingly, to facilitate a safe and orderly wind-down of operations, the BCMEA made the difficult choice to issue formal notice of its intention to lock out ILWU Local 514, effective November 4 at 16:30 PT. 

BCMEA and its members are committed to continuing to invest in infrastructure and technology to grow Canada’s West Coast ports to be more competitive and reliable for our global trading partners.  

• Since 2010, new foreperson jobs have increased by 73% – 307 net new foreperson jobs. 
• Since 2020, there have been 214 new forepersons recruited, with more recruitments underway and forecasted for the future.

The BCMEA and its members sincerely believe that this final offer best serves the 730 forepersons and their families while ensuring West Coast ports are resilient and affordable for all Canadians. We will provide updates as the situation develops. 

Last updated: November 4, 2024, 1:00 PM PT

Local 514 Bargaining Update

ILWU Local 514 Strike Activity Commences 

Further to ILWU Local 514’s strike notice, this morning at or around 08:00 am, ILWU Local 514 industry-wide strike activity commenced at BCMEA member terminals.  

ILWU Local 514’s strike action has already begun to impact B.C.’s waterfront operations, and strike activity can easily escalate, including a complete withdrawal of labour without notice. Accordingly, to facilitate a safe and orderly wind-down of operations, the BCMEA has made the difficult decision to lockout forepersons and other Local 514 members on November 4, 2024, commencing on the 16:30 shift and continuing until further notice. This lockout will not apply to grain or cruise operations. 

Despite ILWU Local 514’s regrettable decision to destabilize Canada’s supply chain, the BCMEA’s comprehensive offer remains open until withdrawn.  

Last updated: November 4, 2024, 9:44:00 AM PT

Local 514 Bargaining Update

BCMEA’s Industry Final Offer to ILWU Local 514 

Earlier this week, in an effort to bring nearly two years of negotiations to a close, with the strong support of our members, the BCMEA presented a final offer letter to ILWU Local 514 President Frank Morena that, if accepted, would reward the hard work of forepersons while ensuring the stability and resiliency of Canada’s West Coast ports.

See the letter and BCMEA’s final offer here.

The BCMEA and its members are proud to support powerful pay cheques and well-paying, family supporting jobs for B.C.’s waterfront workforce. This comprehensive and competitive offer represents the BCMEA’s sincere commitment to conclude negotiations in a manner that serves the best interests of both Parties and Canadians alike.

THE INDUSTRY FINAL OFFER
The final offer provides a fair and reasonable monetary package without seeking any concessions from the union and remains open until withdrawn.

The final offer is a four year agreement which includes:

• 19.2% wage increase
  • Year 1 – 5%, Year 2- 5%, Year 3 – 4%, Year 4 – 4%
  • Increase from current $64.31 Straight Time Base Rate (SBTR) to $76.68 SBTR
  • Increase of median foreperson compensation from $246,323 to $293,617
• Average $21,000 lump sum payment
  • On average all eligible workers will receive a lump sum payment of $21,000 inclusive of a signing bonus of $1.97/hour worked in 2022 and retroactive pay back to April 1, 2023
  • Subject to date of acceptance, the BCMEA will agree to retroactively pay the wage increase and deliver the signing bonus in full by mid-December
• 15% increase to M&M Payment (Retirement Benefit)
  • Increase to retirement benefit from $93,750 to $108,750 over and above pension entitlements
• 47% increase to meal allowance

The offer is modelled on the ILWU-Canada longshore collective agreement that was achieved in August 2023 and is in keeping with historic bargaining practices. However, the BCMEA has been transparent that aspects of the offer could change if negotiations continue to drag on and the economic and inflationary landscape shifts. As such, if the offer is rejected, any subsequent offer will no longer include the signing bonus lump sum payment and the wage offer will change to 2% in Years 3 and 4, respectively.

CONTINUED FOREPERSON JOB GROWTH

• BCMEA and its members are committed to continuing to invest in infrastructure and technology to grow Canada’s West Coast ports to be more competitive and reliable for our global trading partners.
• Since 2010, new foreperson jobs have increased by 73% – 307 net new foreperson jobs.
• Since 2020, there have been 214 new forepersons recruited, with more recruitments underway and forecasted for the future.

ILWU LOCAL 514 LEADERSHIP INTRANSIGENCE SET TO SHUT DOWN WEST COAST PORTS

Instead of meaningfully considering the industry’s final offer, ILWU Local 514’s leadership issued industry wide strike notice to commence on Monday, November 4 at or about 08:00 am PT. It is important to note that once a union commences strike action, the Canada Labour Code has no restrictions on the union subsequently changing the nature of its strike. For example, a strike may start as an overtime ban and be escalated – in minutes, hours or days – to full-scale strike action without notice, where all workers walk off the job. This potential creates tremendous uncertainty and significant operational and safety challenges for operators.

ILWU Local 514’s industry-wide strike notice is untenable for West Coast port operators and their supply chain partners who are involved in a complex multi-billion dollar industry that relies on stability, reliability and forecasting to function. Accordingly, to facilitate a safe and orderly wind-down operations, the BCMEA had the difficult choice to issue formal notice of its intention to lock out ILWU Local 514. 

The BCMEA and its members sincerely believe that this final offer best serves the 730 forepersons and their families while ensuring West Coast ports are resilient and affordable for all Canadians. 

We will continue to provide updates as the situation develops.

Last updated: November 2, 2024, 3:20 PM PT

Local 514 Bargaining Update

Responding to ILWU Local 514 Strike Notice, BCMEA Issues Notice of Defensive Lockout Coastwide

In response to ILWU Local 514’s second strike notice set to commence on Monday, November 4 at or about 08:00 am PT, and in anticipation of escalating and unpredictable strike action, the BCMEA has made a decision to take defensive action in the form of a coastwide lockout.

ILWU Local 514’s strike action will have repercussions across B.C.’s waterfront operations, and strike activity can easily escalate, including a complete withdrawal of labour without notice. Accordingly, to facilitate a safe and orderly wind-down of operations, the BCMEA has issued formal notice of its intention to defensively lock out all ILWU Local 514 members on Monday, November 4 at or around 08:00 am PT. Should it be required, this coastwide lockout will shut down all cargo operations of BCMEA Member companies across the province. It will not affect longshoring operations on grain vessels or cruise operations. 

We did not arrive to this decision lightly. This regretful action follows thorough consideration of ILWU Local 514’s continued intransigence and their provocative decision to proceed with another strike notice, despite being found to have been bargaining in bad faith on three occasions. 

The BCMEA appreciates that Canada’s West Coast ports and global trade require certainty and predictability to operate. ILWU Local 514 continues to put Canada’s supply chain and all those that depend on it at risk with its repeated inflammatory and disruptive behaviour. 

The Parties met this week with the assistance of FMCS. The BCMEA was deeply disappointed that ILWU Local 514 came to mediation at this late stage of bargaining, with proposals and positions that took bargaining backwards, and thus further from achieving a collective agreement. 

On Wednesday the BCMEA provided a balanced and competitive final offer to ILWU Local 514. If accepted, it will provide all forepersons with significant gains in wages and benefits without concession requests from employers. The final offer includes a 19.2% wage increase, which would enhance the median foreperson compensation from $246,323 to $293,617 annually, not including benefits and pension. On average, eligible workers would receive a cumulative lump sum payment of approximately $21,000, inclusive of signing bonus and retroactive pay increases back to April 2023. Subject to the date of acceptance, the BCMEA will agree to accelerate and pay retroactivity and the signing bonus in full to each member by mid-December. 

Despite ILWU Local 514’s regrettable decision to repeatedly destabilize Canada’s supply chain, the BCMEA’s comprehensive offer remains open until withdrawn. 

In the interest of all Canadians, the industry is prepared to rescind lock out notice if ILWU Local 514 chooses to withdraw its strike notice. 

Last updated: October 31, 2024, 7:15 PM PT

Local 514 Bargaining Update

ILWU Local 514 Serves Industry Wide 72-Hour Strike Notice to All BCMEA Member Companies, Effective 08:00 AM PT, Monday, November 4, 2024  

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Ship & Dock Foremen Local 514 (ILWU Local 514) have provided formal, written 72-hour notice of intended industry wide strike action against all BCMEA member companies, commencing on Monday, November 4 at or about 08:00 AM PT. 

The BCMEA is deeply disappointed with ILWU Local 514’s decision to once again throw Canada’s supply chain into uncertainty and instability. ILWU Local 514’s strike action will have repercussions across B.C.’s waterfront operations, and strike activity can easily escalate, including a complete withdrawal of labour without notice. This escalation follows months of labour instability across rail, air, grain and port sectors and compounds Canada’s growing reputation as an unreliable trading partner. This level of uncertainty and chaos is untenable for the waterfront industry and Canada’s supply chain. 

On Wednesday, the BCMEA provided a final offer to ILWU Local 514 in a sincere commitment to conclude negotiations in a manner that serves the best interests of both Parties and Canadians alike. The final offer provides a fair agreement without requiring concessions from ILWU Local 514 and covers all matters remaining in dispute. If accepted, this competitive deal will provide all ILWU Local 514 members with significant gains in wages, benefits and a signing bonus paid out by mid-December. The BCMEA and ILWU Local 514 have been engaged in bargaining for nearly two years to renew their collective agreement that expired in March 2023. 

ILWU Local 514’s second strike notice follows a needlessly tumultuous strike attempt in July 2024, where shortly after the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) hearing began, ILWU Local 514 chose to issue strike notice to DP World (Canada) Inc. The CIRB found that the union strike vote and strike notice constituted ILWU Local 514 bargaining in bad faith, and was therefore illegal. In total, the CIRB has determined that ILWU Local 514 has bargained in bad faith on three occasions during this round of bargaining. 

The reliability of Canada’s West Coast ports and the nation’s supply chain are critically important to the BCMEA, our members and to all Canadians. The BCMEA has advanced proposals in good faith to reach a balanced agreement that is beneficial for the 730 hardworking forepersons and for their families, while also ensuring West Coast ports remain reliable, competitive, and affordable for all Canadians. 

Despite ILWU Local 514’s regrettable escalation, the BCMEA’s competitive and balanced offer that can help both Parties conclude negotiations in a manner that serves the best interest of the waterfront workforce and industry remains open for acceptance.  

The BCMEA and its members will be considering next steps. We will continue to provide further updates as the situation develops. 

Last updated: October 31, 2024, 4:00 PM PT