"We should not be here" -- All eyes turn to Ottawa as BC Port workers return to the picket lines

Prince Rupert's waterfront and that of other port cities is once again for the
most part silent, as ILWU workers restart their picket lines after the ILWU
caucus rejected the mediator's settlement yesterday

 

**See updates at bottom of page**

The latest twist for developments on the waterfronts of British Columbia saw a surprise return to the picket lines onTuesday, that as the International Longshore And Warehouse Union caucus rejected the mediator's recommended settlement handed down last Thursday.

As we outlined yesterday, the ILWU sent their members back to the picket lines with the 4:30 PM shift, once again closing British Columbia's ports and stopping the transit of goods and materials, making for the continuation of a strike that began on July 1st and had seemingly ended on July 13th.

The rejection of the tentative deal brought a statement of disappointment  and frustration for the employers through the BCMEA, which issued their own statement following the announcement of the resumption of the strike.

Last night the Canada Industrial Relations Board held a hearing in response to  an application by the BCMEA that had noted that the ILWU had not provided 72 hours strike notice as required by the Canada Labour Code.

According to a statement from the BCMEA: The CIRB ruled that the Union was in violation of the Canada Labour Code by not providing 72 hours notice, and has ordered the Union to cease and desist its illegal strike action effective immediately.  

The ILWU has yet to provide a public response to that CIRB hearing.

While the workers were back on the picket line by 4:30 PM, it took the Federal Government some five hours later to make their first comment on the rejection of the mediator's settlement and the return to the disruption of trade.

That through a rather pedestrian statement from Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan and Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, a few lines that mostly expressed frustration at being back to where the dispute of early July had been. 

But a commentary that offered no indication as to what steps the Federal Government may have in mind to reopen the Ports.

Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre had previously issued his own observations on the return to the picket lines by the ILWU, a short twitter message issued within minutes of the call to resume the strike, a commentary that for the most part referenced the Labour Minister as incompetent, though with no suggestions of his own towards a resolution.

At an event in Ontario this morning,  the Opposition leader called on the Prime Minister to "do his job and end this strike immediately because of the massive cost to workers, consumers and businesses" 

For the NDP, the first commentary came from Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach, who reinforced the NDP's commitments towards the right to negotiation and cautioned against any plans for back to work legislation by the Federal Government.

The Federal Government is reported to be considering its options, but so far no indication as to what kind of plan they may have has been outlined by the Labour Minister.

Update: Wednesday morning Labour Minister O'Regan released the advisory from the CIRB and declared the strike to be an illegal action.

click above to enlarge

According to a statement from the the employers through the BCMEA, the ILWU has since served a 72 hour strike notice which would see their members once again return to the picket lines at 9AM on Saturday, July 22.

The ILWU released their statement on the 72 hour notice on Wednesday afternoon.

More on the resumption of the BC Port Strike can be explored from our archive page.