Toronto, July 12, 2023
Federal Labour Minister, Seamus O’Regan, has invoked his statutory powers under the Canada Labour Code and sent a letter on July 11th, to the lead federal negotiator in the strike to trigger section 105(2) of the Canada Labour Code, which allows them to make recommendations for a settlement of the dispute. The federal negotiator will then draft the terms of a recommended settlement within 24 hours. After such time, the Labour Minister will share the proposal with both sides, the B.C. Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU Canada), and will provide another 24 hours for them to review and communicate such proposal with their members for ratification.
In an earlier statement on July 11th, the BCMEA, whose members include 49 B.C. waterfront employers and terminal operators, estimated the value of disrupted cargo since July 1st at about $8.6 billion. The association cited estimates from Royal Bank that 63,000 shipping containers were already impacted, with 13 vessels to arrive in coming days, and 37 due by month-end – by which time the value of backlogged goods would touch $11.7 billion, which in turn would require over three weeks to clear the backlog, barring any new arrivals.
For more information, please call David Lychek, Director – Ocean & Air Services at (905) 882-4880, ext. 1207.
