BC Chamber of Commerce Statement on Labour Dispute at BC Ports
By Contributor
In response to the decision by members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 514 to commence strike activity and the BC Marine Employers Association (BCMEA) to lock out its Local 514 members yesterday, Fiona Famulak, President and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce, released the following statement:
“The BC Chamber of Commerce supports the right to collective bargaining. However, the inability of the ILWU and BCMEA to negotiate a new agreement and avoid another work stoppage at Canada’s largest port is disappointing.
“Our port infrastructure is too critical to the health and success of businesses and workers to have this dispute continue one moment longer. It will only serve to inflict further harm to our provincial and national economies and our international reputation as a reliable trading partner.
On behalf of the 100 chambers of commerce and boards of trade that we represent, this labour dispute is untenable for our BC-based businesses. We need a solution that provides certainty and long-term stability at our ports. It is imperative all parties, ILWU, BCMEA, and the federal government, work diligently to find a resolution quickly.”
