Canadian West Coast Dockworkers Announce November 4 Strike

Dockworkers at Canada’s west coast ports are preparing to strike on November 4, affecting key hubs such as the Port of Vancouver and the Port of Prince Rupert.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Ship & Dock Foremen Local 514 (ILWU) issued a 72-hour strike notice, indicating a full shutdown of operations as workers withdraw from their posts.

The strike follows prolonged negotiation deadlocks between the ILWU and the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA), which have been ongoing since the coastwide agreement expired on March 31 last year.

The ILWU seeks to increase pressure on the employers' union amidst stalled talks. A previous strike attempt by the ILWU in July was blocked by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) on the grounds that the union had polled workers from only one BCMEA company, DP World (Canada). This time, however, the strike has been backed by a 96% approval from all union members.

On Wednesday, BCMEA presented its latest offer, which it described as fair and inclusive of all disputed matters. The ILWU, however, rejected the proposal and issued a 72-hour strike notice.

BCMEA has voiced its disappointment over the impending strike, warning of additional strain on Canadian supply chains, which are still recovering from rail labor disruptions in August. This previous labor halt occurred after talks broke down between rail workers’ unions and their employers.

With no agreement yet reached, the BCMEA is now considering its next steps.