The union representing BC port workers announced that its members voted against a contract offer reached through mediation with the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA)..The International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) released a statement on Friday that its members said “NO to the Terms of the Settlement.”.“Today, we call on our direct employers to come to the table and negotiate something that works for our members and the industry,” said the statement..The ILWU said that it was recommending the terms of the possible agreement to its members..On Tuesday, ILWU workers skipped the day shift to learn the specifics of the agreement. They then had two days to vote on it..READ MORE Port workers vote on contract, ending 13-day strike.The BCMEA previously stated that the offer was the same one the ILWU leaders had previously turned down. This caused workers to briefly return to the picket line last week..The strike action was paused when a mediator helped reach a tentative contract agreement. However, it was resumed when the union leadership rejected the plan..The labour board said that the second strike by the port workers was against the law. .This made the union give a 72-hour notice for another strike, but they changed their decision a few hours later..After hearing that the union had suggested its members approve the agreement, Federal Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan thanked the ILWU for allowing the terms to be voted on..“Thank you to the ILWU Canada Longshore Caucus for sending the Terms of Settlement to a membership vote, with their recommendation for ratification,” tweeted O’Regan on July 21..“Right now, BC ports are operating, but we need long-term stability.”.It is unclear what rejecting the proposed settlement will mean regarding future job actions, including returning to the picket lines..The first strike lasted for 13 days, starting on Canada Day, and stopped the movement of goods worth billions of dollars in and out of some of the busiest ports on the west coast.
