VANCOUVER - A new four-year collective agreement has been ratified between maritime employers in British Columbia and the union representing port supervisors. This agreement comes after a significant dispute that led to workers being locked out of container terminals last year.

The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Ship and Dock Foremen Local 514 announced that the new contract will be effective from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2027. In a joint statement, both parties expressed optimism about collaborating to implement the terms of the agreement.

The federal government intervened on November 12, 2024, when the dispute had paralyzed operations at B.C. ports. They directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to mandate the resumption of all operations and to move negotiations to binding arbitration. This intervention was crucial as container cargo traffic at West Coast terminals had come to a standstill, affecting over 700 longshore supervisors.

The employers had initiated the lockout of Local 514 members on November 4, 2024, describing it as a defensive measure. The resolution of this dispute marks a significant step forward for the maritime industry in British Columbia, ensuring stability and cooperation moving forward.