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Talks break off in B.C. port dispute as bid to end multi-day lockout fails

  • Chuck Chiang

  • Canadian Press

  • November 9, 2024

<p>Locked out International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 port workers walk to a rally as gantry cranes and cargo containers are seen in the distance, in Vancouver, on Friday, November 8, 2024. Contract negotiations in a labour dispute that has paralyzed container cargo shipping at British Columbia's ports since Monday have been called off. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</p>

VANCOUVER -- Contract negotiations in a labour dispute that has paralyzed container cargo shipping at British Columbia's ports since Monday have been called off.

In an update posted to their website, the BC Maritime Employers Association says they and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 met separately with a mediator and "there was no progress made."

As a result, no further contract talks are scheduled.

The employers and union were originally scheduled to meet for three days in mediated talks to try to break a deadlock in negotiations.

The union, which represents more than 700 longshore supervisors at ports, including Vancouver, Prince Rupert and Nanaimo, has been without a contract since March last year.

Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon intervened earlier during the strike to speak with leaders on both sides, asking them to restart talks.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 9, 2024.