Negotiations continue between BC port employers and foreperson union, with some hope of avoiding disruption

The BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and Local 514 union representing forepersons are moving forward in their negotiations with the support of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). The union represents about 730 ship and dock forepersons. 

Following the baseline set by the agreement with Longshore workers, and patterns of negotiations, there has been optimism throughout the process that a work stoppage is avoidable, a relief to a logistics industry already feeling the pressures of a possible rail strike and labour dispute at the Port of Montreal. 

Last summer’s port strike, lasting 13 days, and involving over 7,400 workers, disrupted around $9 billion worth of trade, according to some estimates.