Port of Vancouver Update: ILWU Canada members ratify negotiated tentative agreement

Please see below further developments regarding the strike action at the Port of Vancouver.

On August 4th, The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) received confirmation that International Labour and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU Canada) voting membership have ratified the four-year negotiated tentative agreement that was achieved with the assistance of the Canada Industrial Relations Board. The BCMEA ratified the agreement on July 31st. The agreement was reached after five months of negotiations, conciliation and mediation, and five weeks of labour instability at B.C.’s ports.

The renewed collective agreement includes increases in wages, benefits and training that recognizes the skills and efforts of B.C.’s waterfront workforce, while providing certainty and stability for the future of Canada’s West Coast ports.

BCMEA will move forward to implement the terms of the agreement, working collaboratively with labour partners, the federal government and key stakeholders to restore stability at Canada’s largest gateway.

Overview:

- The strike notice that had been issued on July 19th was withdrawn shortly after the Canada Industrial Relations Board declared the workers' renewed strike as unlawful due to the lack of a 72-hour notice. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU Canada) put the terms of the deal to its membership at a stop-work meeting on Tuesday, July 25th.

• On July 18th, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Canada's internal caucus leadership rejected the tentative agreement before it reached a vote by the full union membership. This has resulted in the announcement of resumed strike activities as of 16:30 July 18.

• The tentative agreement was reached on July 13, 2023, following 13 days of strike-induced disruption at Canada’s West Coast ports. Both BCMEA and ILWU recommended the settlement for ratification to their respective memberships.

• Despite its ratification by the BCMEA on July 13, 2023, the ILWU’s internal caucus leadership found the proposal unsatisfactory.

• The rejected settlement was a four-year collective agreement package, including wage and benefit increases.

DSV Response & Next Steps:

• DSV continues to actively monitor the situation. We are engaged in discussions with ocean carriers and port authorities to understand the impact and plans moving forward. Our priority remains keeping supply chains flowing for our customers.

• Our dedicated teams are committed to mitigating any disruptions to your operations and will work closely with you to ensure any potential impact is minimized.

• We will continue to update you with any new developments or information as soon as it becomes available.

DSV Recommended Actions:

•  As the situation is dynamic, we recommend speaking to your DSV representative before considering any changes to routing your cargo. Any hasty decision may lead to unnecessary costs and complications.

Stay informed: For ongoing updates and information, we recommend regularly checking the following resources, please visit the following websites:
• Port of Vancouver: https://www.portvancouver.com/about-us/information-updates/
• ILWU Canada: https://www.ilwu.ca/
• BCMEA Negotiations: https://www.bcmeanegotiations.com/updates/

We are here to help

We are here to support and provide personalized solutions to address any challenges you might face.

We understand the importance of maintaining clear communication during this time, and we appreciate your patience as the situation evolves. If you have any immediate concerns or questions, please reach out directly to your local DSV representative. 

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.