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

By Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press on November 9, 2024.

Locked out International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 port workers and supporters listen as NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, not shown, addresses a rally in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. Employers and the union representing supervisors embroiled in a labour dispute that triggered a lockout at British Columbia's ports will attempt to reach a deal when talks restart this weekend. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

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.