CANADIAN west coast dockers and port employers in British Columbia have resumed talks after a brief hiatus, assisted by federal mediators, reports Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.
The strike by members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU Canada) continues unabated after eight days, and the economic losses are stacking up quickly. An estimated US$12 billion worth of goods are waiting off Vancouver and Prince Rupert because of the disruption, according to CNBC.
The strike began on July 1. ILWU Canada's 7,400 members in BC walked out, demanding wage increases to offset to the rate of inflation and to reward workers’ efforts during the pandemic.
The primary points of disagreement are on wages and on maintenance jobs. The ILWU claims that terminal operators are taking away their work by bringing in maintenance contractors. Meanwhile, the BC Maritime Employer's Association (BCMEA) contends that the union is attempting to expand its jurisdiction and has difficulty supplying the tradesmen that the terminals need.