Union members vote to ratify labour agreement ending disruption at Vancouver and Prince Rupert ports

Members of the International Labour and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Canada have voted with 75% in favour of ratifying the tentative agreement with the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA), ending months of uncertainty for importers and exporters in British Columbia.

The union’s voting membership had voted down the previous agreement based on concerns over the process of contracting out maintenance work, leading the Canadian government to bring the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to the negotiating table.

In the end, the final vote occurred after five months of negotiations, conciliation and mediation, and five weeks of labour instability at ports including Vancouver and Prince Rupert.