economy

Striking International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers march to a rally as gantry cranes used to load and unload cargo containers from ships sit idle at port in Vancouver on Thursday, July 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Business groups want labour changes after end of B.C. port dispute

Lobby argues Ottawa must take steps to ensure such a disruption never happens again

Striking International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers march to a rally as gantry cranes used to load and unload cargo containers from ships sit idle at port in Vancouver on Thursday, July 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The provincial unemployment rate dropped in July, but the construction sector continues to shed jobs. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C.’s construction sector is shedding jobs; but overall unemployment drops

Unemployment rates in B.C. are going down, but key sector lost nearly 20,000 jobs in July

The provincial unemployment rate dropped in July, but the construction sector continues to shed jobs. (Black Press Media file photo)
Gantry cranes sit idle as a container ship is docked at port during a work stoppage, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Voting among British Columbia port workers on a new agreement with employers is scheduled to conclude today, with the result deciding whether the months-long labour dispute will end or continue. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Researcher warns against intervention as B.C. port workers vote concludes

International Longshore and Warehouse Union cast ballots on new contract Thursday and Friday

Gantry cranes sit idle as a container ship is docked at port during a work stoppage, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Voting among British Columbia port workers on a new agreement with employers is scheduled to conclude today, with the result deciding whether the months-long labour dispute will end or continue. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Striking International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers march to a rally as gantry cranes used to load and unload cargo containers from ships sit idle at port in Vancouver on Thursday, July 6, 2023. The recently concluded strike was part of a larger surge of strikes across North America. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Long-term effects of strikes still emerging: B.C. economist

Rob Gillezeau says labour militancy is surging, but real wages have been down for a long time

Striking International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers march to a rally as gantry cranes used to load and unload cargo containers from ships sit idle at port in Vancouver on Thursday, July 6, 2023. The recently concluded strike was part of a larger surge of strikes across North America. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Workers attend a strike rally in Vancouver on Sunday, July 9, 2023. Workers in the ongoing British Columbia port dispute are taking a full-union vote to determine if the latest deal recommended by negotiators is acceptable, with the possible end to the months-long conflict in the balance. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Union vote begins on B.C. port deal that could end months-long dispute

International Longshore and Warehouse Union members vote from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and tomorrow

Workers attend a strike rally in Vancouver on Sunday, July 9, 2023. Workers in the ongoing British Columbia port dispute are taking a full-union vote to determine if the latest deal recommended by negotiators is acceptable, with the possible end to the months-long conflict in the balance. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Willie Adams, international president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, speaks at a strike rally in Vancouver on Sunday, July 9, 2023. Labour observers are urging caution ahead of a union vote that could end the long-running B.C. port dispute this week, saying there’s a history of union members rejecting deals struck at the negotiating table. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

B.C. port union to brief workers on new collective deal ahead of crucial vote

Longshore union negotiators will brief workers about a new tentative collective agreement…

Willie Adams, international president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, speaks at a strike rally in Vancouver on Sunday, July 9, 2023. Labour observers are urging caution ahead of a union vote that could end the long-running B.C. port dispute this week, saying there’s a history of union members rejecting deals struck at the negotiating table. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Ford Electric F-150 Lightning Truck (Ford Canada Facebook)

Ford triples electric truck output after a six-week shutdown of a factory

Ford shut down a Dearborn factory to upgrade equipment and increase capacity

Ford Electric F-150 Lightning Truck (Ford Canada Facebook)
A transport truck carries cargo containers from the Centerm Container Terminal at port in Vancouver, on Friday, July 14, 2023. British Columbia port workers are back on the job after a tentative agreement was reached between the employers association and the workers union, ending a 13-day-old strike. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Labour experts urge caution ahead of union vote to end B.C. port dispute

History exists of union members rejecting deals struck at the negotiating table

A transport truck carries cargo containers from the Centerm Container Terminal at port in Vancouver, on Friday, July 14, 2023. British Columbia port workers are back on the job after a tentative agreement was reached between the employers association and the workers union, ending a 13-day-old strike. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Gantry cranes sit idle as a container ship is docked at port during a work stoppage, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Industrial board warns union bosses not to backtrack on new B.C. port deal

ILWU Canada must hold a ratification vote on the deal no later than Friday

Gantry cranes sit idle as a container ship is docked at port during a work stoppage, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A striking port worker from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada views the large gathering attending a rally in Vancouver, on Sunday, July 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

New tentative deal is reached in B.C. port workers dispute

Joint statement late Sunday says deal reached with help from Canada Industrial Relations Board

A striking port worker from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada views the large gathering attending a rally in Vancouver, on Sunday, July 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Statistics Canada is set to release today its latest reading on how the economy fared in May, as well as a preliminary glimpse for the second quarter. Statistics Canada’s offices at Tunney’s Pasture in Ottawa are shown on Friday, March 8, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Economy grew in May despite wildfire effects: StatCan

But it looks to have slowed in June

Statistics Canada is set to release today its latest reading on how the economy fared in May, as well as a preliminary glimpse for the second quarter. Statistics Canada’s offices at Tunney’s Pasture in Ottawa are shown on Friday, March 8, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Striking International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers walk a picket line on a road leading to Deltaport, in Delta, B.C., on Friday, July 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. port workers mull contract offer as expert warns of more labour strife

Inflation, workplace flexibility, may be changing the labour movement’s views on strike action

Striking International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers walk a picket line on a road leading to Deltaport, in Delta, B.C., on Friday, July 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Striking International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers march to a rally as gantry cranes used to load and unload cargo containers from ships sit idle at port in Vancouver on Thursday, July 6, 2023. Thousands of workers at British Columbia’s ports will take off the day shift today to learn the details of an agreement struck between their union and employers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. port workers get eyes on contract offer from maritime employers

International Longshore and Warehouse Union members expected to vote on the offer later this week

Striking International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers march to a rally as gantry cranes used to load and unload cargo containers from ships sit idle at port in Vancouver on Thursday, July 6, 2023. Thousands of workers at British Columbia’s ports will take off the day shift today to learn the details of an agreement struck between their union and employers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A transport truck carries a cargo container to the Centerm Container Terminal at port in Vancouver, on Friday, July 14, 2023. The uncertainty at British Columbia ports continues as the union representing about 7,400 workers and their employers remain without a deal in what one labour expert calls a “unprecedented” situation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. port union to recommend settlement agreement to its members

Agreement to be presented to workers same one the union’s caucus rejected just days ago: BCMEA

A transport truck carries a cargo container to the Centerm Container Terminal at port in Vancouver, on Friday, July 14, 2023. The uncertainty at British Columbia ports continues as the union representing about 7,400 workers and their employers remain without a deal in what one labour expert calls a “unprecedented” situation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
As EVs gain in popularity, the province is spending more than $271 million toward the Centre for Clean Energy and Automotive Innovation at Vancouver Community College. (Black Press Media file photo)

Premier drives up with $270 million for new clean energy automotive centre

Centre for Clean Energy and Automotive Innovation aimed at transportation tech training shortfalls

As EVs gain in popularity, the province is spending more than $271 million toward the Centre for Clean Energy and Automotive Innovation at Vancouver Community College. (Black Press Media file photo)
A transport truck carries a cargo container to the Centerm Container Terminal at port in Vancouver, on Friday, July 14, 2023. The uncertainty at British Columbia ports continues as the union representing about 7,400 workers and their employers remain without a deal in what one labour expert calls a "unprecedented" situation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Uncertainty at B.C. ports continues as possible deal emerges in labour dispute

B.C. port union local says new tentative deal reached with employers, report unconfirmed

A transport truck carries a cargo container to the Centerm Container Terminal at port in Vancouver, on Friday, July 14, 2023. The uncertainty at British Columbia ports continues as the union representing about 7,400 workers and their employers remain without a deal in what one labour expert calls a "unprecedented" situation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Gantry cranes sit idle as a container ship is docked at port during a work stoppage, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Trudeau ‘dismayed’ at B.C. port union’s ‘unacceptable’ decision to reject deal

PM convened a meeting of the government’s incident response group Wednesday

Gantry cranes sit idle as a container ship is docked at port during a work stoppage, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A transport truck carries cargo containers from the Centerm Container Terminal at port in Vancouver, on Friday, July 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. ports in limbo as union removes weekend strike notice

International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada did not elaborate on reasons for change

A transport truck carries cargo containers from the Centerm Container Terminal at port in Vancouver, on Friday, July 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Striking International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers picket at a port entrance in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, July 4, 2023. British Columbia's ports are facing an uncertain future after the longshore workers union rejected a tentative mediated deal and resumed strike action that had been put to a temporary halt only last week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Trudeau convenes crisis group over B.C. port strike as union gives notice

Lack of 72-hour notice meant Tuesday walkout ruled illegal

Striking International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers picket at a port entrance in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, July 4, 2023. British Columbia's ports are facing an uncertain future after the longshore workers union rejected a tentative mediated deal and resumed strike action that had been put to a temporary halt only last week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Striking International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers picket at a port entrance in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, July 4, 2023. British Columbia’s ports are facing an uncertain future after the longshore workers union rejected a tentative mediated deal and resumed strike action that had been put to a temporary halt only last week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Federal Labour Minister says renewed port workers strike illegal

O’Regan: union ordered to cease and desist any strike activity because of lack of 72 hours notice

Striking International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers picket at a port entrance in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, July 4, 2023. British Columbia’s ports are facing an uncertain future after the longshore workers union rejected a tentative mediated deal and resumed strike action that had been put to a temporary halt only last week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck