Port strike deal “within reach”

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There could be an end in sight for the strike affecting the port in British Columbia.

For 11 days now, members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union have been striking against the BC Maritime Employees Association.

But Canada’s Labour Minister, Seamus O’Regan, believes a good deal is in reach.

In a tweet posted Tuesday night, O’Regan says he has decided the difference between the two parties is not enough to justify a continued work stoppage and has given a total of 48 hours to come to a conclusion.

24 hours is being given to mediators to provide him with the settlement recommendation, and then will give both the BCMEA and ILWU Canada another 24 hours to decide on that recommendation.

O’Regan states the Canadian economy depends on the relationship between industry and labour, and notes the scale of the disruption shows the importance of the relationship between both parties is in the national interest.

Thanks to the hard work by the BCMEA & the ILWU at the bargaining table, there is a good deal within reach.

My statement on the negotiations: pic.twitter.com/Wj53pknS4S

— Seamus O'Regan Jr (@SeamusORegan) July 12, 2023