BC Maritime Employers Association Plans to Lock Out Dock Workers on Monday Afternoon

Employers of port foremen across British Columbia say they’ve made the “difficult decision” to lock out workers on Monday at 4:30 PM PT, raising fears the move may freeze trade on Canada’s West Coast, The Canadian Press reported (11-4-24).

The BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) said its plan to lock out workers was meant to “facilitate a safe and orderly wind-down of operations” in light of “escalating and unpredictable strike action.” Last week, it said the move was being done “defensively” after International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 514 issued a 72-hour strike notice for job action, which was due to start at 8:00 AM PT.

The union told CBC News Monday morning that it has “implemented an overtime ban and will refuse to participate in technological change as their limited job action.” The union previously accused the BCMEA of “acting recklessly” by threatening the lockout, saying it was an “attempt to force the federal government to intervene in the dispute.” It said no negotiations are happening at the moment.

In a statement on social media platform X on Sunday, Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon said federal mediators are on standby, ready to help the employers and union. “It is the responsibility of the parties to reach an agreement. Businesses, workers, and farmers are counting on them to get a deal,” he said.