B.C. port strike: Ottawa urges parties to settle dispute ‘once and for all’ | 24CA News
The on-off strike saga at British Columbia’s ports seems to be over — for now — as staff returned to work Thursday.
Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra mentioned he was “relieved” that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada had withdrawn its strike discover Wednesday and that the union staff had been again to work, whereas saying he was hopeful that each events can attain an settlement “once and for all.”
“I had run out of patience, just given that we’ve seen disruptions for 13 days,” Alghabra advised reporters Thursday in Montreal, the place he was making an announcement for a high-frequency rail mission.
“I’m relieved to see that the union is back at work. I will continue to monitor the developments and encourage the parties to settle this once and for all and we’ll offer our assistance in any way, shape or form.”
On Wednesday, the union representing about 7,400 staff abruptly rescinded a strike discover hours after issuing it.
The ILWU mentioned in an announcement that it had “removed” the strike discover it issued earlier that very same day, however gave no causes or particulars behind the choice in what the BC Maritime Employers Association calls “a fluid and unpredictable situation.”
Previously, the ILWU issued a 72-hour discover that member staff would relaunch a strike at B.C. ports on Saturday morning, after it rejected a tentative four-year deal on Tuesday that briefly halted strike motion on July 13.
The ILWU initially relaunched its strike on Tuesday instantly after saying its caucus had rejected the tentative deal reached by negotiators final week, nevertheless it eliminated picket strains and staff had been pressured to return to work a day later after the Canadian Industrial Relations Board dominated they wanted to provide 72-hour discover for the strike to be authorized.
Alghbara mentioned he was not conscious of any ongoing negotiations, however mentioned he’ll proceed to supply help to the events to “finalize a deal.”
“The best way to resolve this is through an agreement by the parties and I’m hoping that yesterday’s move is a sign towards that,” he mentioned.
“The Canadian economy can no longer withstand more disruption to our supply chains.”
Amid the forwards and backwards, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convened the Incident Response Group — which is usually gathered at occasions of “national crisis” — to debate the labour disruptions at B.C.’s ports.
Trudeau additionally spoke with B.C. Premier David Eby in regards to the labour dispute and agreed on the necessity to “ensure the stability” of nationwide provide chains, in response to a abstract of the decision launched by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Speaking to reporters in Kingston, Ont., Thursday, Trudeau mentioned he’s “glad to see the union is reconsidering the good offer that was on the table.”
“I think we were all dismayed, to be honest, when we found out that a good deal that had been worked out at the table that was agreed to both by union leadership and by the management had been suddenly rejected and they were back in a strike position,” Trudeau mentioned. “This was unacceptable.”
He mentioned the assembly with the Incident Response Group was referred to as to speak in regards to the impacts on the economic system and to have a look at the “possible paths forward”.
The strike initially began on July 1 and ran for 13 days, shutting down or severely disrupting operations on the greater than 30 B.C. port terminals and different websites the place ILWU members work — together with Vancouver, the nation’s largest port.
The shutdown has despatched ripple results from coast to coast, with a nationwide commerce group warning final week that the restoration may take “several months.”
— with information from The Canadian Press
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