The union representing foremen at British Columbia91裸聊视频檚 ports say members have voted overwhelmingly to authorize strike action if necessary in an ongoing labour dispute with port employers.

International Longshore and Warehouse Union91裸聊视频檚 Ship and Dock Foremen Local 514 says in a statement that members voted 96 per cent 91裸聊视频渋ndustry-wide91裸聊视频� in favour of authorizing a strike.

However, no 72-hour strike or lockout notice has been issued.

The union said previously that it had 91裸聊视频渘o interest in an industry-wide dispute91裸聊视频� since it wanted to negotiate with one employer 91裸聊视频� DP World Canada 91裸聊视频� directly on the issue of automation.

But the Canada Industrial Relations Board said the union can91裸聊视频檛 bargain with DP World alone, which the union says forced members to take an industry-wide vote.

Local 514 president Frank Morena says in a statement the union 91裸聊视频渄oes not seek to negotiate through the media91裸聊视频� but members want to fight back against what he describes as DP World91裸聊视频檚 attempt to lower existing minimum manning levels.

The B.C. Maritime Employers Association says in an update that it has made offers 91裸聊视频渙ver the last 16 months 91裸聊视频� that would have resulted in a competitive and balanced deal to ILWU Local 514 members91裸聊视频� with 91裸聊视频渟ignificant gains in wages and benefits without any concession requests from employers.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淲e remain committed to bargaining in good faith and seeking a balanced agreement that recognizes the hard work of the 730 forepersons on B.C.91裸聊视频檚 waterfront while ensuring West Coast ports remain competitive, resilient and affordable for all Canadians,91裸聊视频� the association says in its update.

Morena says the employers responded to a counter-offer by the union by filing a complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Board, necessitating the union91裸聊视频檚 vote to authorize strike action.

91裸聊视频淟et me be clear on behalf of our membership: there will be no new collective agreements until the outstanding issues at the bargaining table are addressed,91裸聊视频� Morena says in his statement. 91裸聊视频淲e do not want a lockout or strike 91裸聊视频� we want a fair new contract.91裸聊视频�

The last agreement expired more than a year ago, in March 2023.

The union with more than 700 members says negotiations last year, this January and this summer all failed to deliver a new deal and the CIRB is now mediating.

Strike action in 2023 by thousands of workers in a separate dispute at B.C.91裸聊视频檚 ports shut down most operations for 13 days and froze billions in trade at the docks.

Then, in August, work stoppages at both major Canadian railways disrupted port operations again.

The employers91裸聊视频� association says the ongoing dispute with port foremen 91裸聊视频渄oes little to assure Canadians and global trading partners of supply chain stability.91裸聊视频�