Halifax Port announces details of New Tentative Deal (Labour Update #4)

Halifax, NS

The Port of Halifax announced the details of the tentative agreement between the Halifax Employers Association (HEA) and the Locals of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA). The agreement was reached on April 12, 2023, but the details were shared last week in a press release.

Union members have been working without a collective agreement since Dec 31, 2021. The new agreement is for a four-year term and runs until Dec 31, 2025. Annual wage increases of 4.5%, 5.0%, 4.0%, and 3.75% are retroactive to Jan 1, 2022.

Vancouver and Prince Rupert, BC

No new news to report. Work stoppages at the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert could happen as early as June 24^th.

U.S. West Coast Ports (Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, Tacoma, Seattle, etc.)

Productivity is back to normal. The tentative new deal includes 32% wage increase over the lifetime of the 6-year contract, plus a one-time $70 million bonus to reward dockworkers for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic, which will be divided equally amongst approximately 22,000 members.

The agreement also states how many mechanics will be assigned to work at automated terminals, but the demand by some ILWU locals to increase manning requirements failed. The PMA and ILWU are currently in the ratification phase, where representatives discuss the details of the agreement with their memberships, who will vote to approve the deal. Approval for the deal will likely take three months.

Sources:
1. ILWU scores 32% wage increase, $70 million bonus in tentative new contract, Journal of Commerce, June 16, 2023. Accessed June 19, 2023.
2. Press Release, Port of Halifax, June 14, 2023. Accessed June 19, 2023.