The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) announced that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Ship & Dock Foremen Local 514 (ILWU Local 514) has issued a 72-hour strike notice, planning to halt operations across Canada’s West Coast ports starting at 8 a.m. Pacific Time on Monday, November 4.
This comes after nearly two years of failed negotiations over a new collective agreement, which expired in March 2023.
Despite ongoing talks and a final offer from the BCMEA last Wednesday—claimed by the association to be a “fair agreement without concessions from ILWU Local 514”—the union responded with an official notice to strike.
The impending action threatens to disrupt both the Port of Vancouver and the Port of Prince Rupert, Canada’s key West Coast container gateways, marking another potential setback for Canada’s supply chain, already strained by past rail and dockworker strikes.
Central to the dispute is ILWU Local 514’s disagreement with BCMEA member DP World (Canada) over staffing levels and automation. Earlier this year, a local strike targeting DP World was ruled illegal by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) in July, but ILWU Local 514 held a subsequent strike vote in August, securing 96% support from members.
Both parties have since been working with a federal mediator to resolve their issues.
Reacting to the latest strike notice, BCMEA expressed frustration, saying, “The BCMEA is deeply disappointed with ILWU Local 514’s decision to once again throw Canada’s supply chain into uncertainty and instability. ILWU Local 514’s strike action will have repercussions across B.C.’s waterfront operations, and strike activity can easily escalate, including a complete withdrawal of labour without notice.”
BCMEA officials said they are currently evaluating their options in light of the strike notice.
This looming strike follows last year’s 13-day stoppage by ILWU Canada members, which paralyzed Canadian West Coast ports and was ultimately resolved only after federal government intervention.
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