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Canada's West Coast port strike is averted by board order

The board issued an order cancelling a strike that was scheduled for Monday, by dock and ship foremen in west Canadian ports. It found the union's notice of strike to be in violation with the labor code.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), in its order, stated that "the Board directs union to rescind their strike notice". It also added that the strike was a violation of the Canada Labour Code.

The union, International Longshore and Warehouse Union Ship and Dock Foremen local 514, was accused of not bargaining in good faith.

Early on Monday, the union didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment.

The strike was called in protest of port operator DP World’s labor contracts, and other issues related to them such as overtime changes, job redundancy due to automation and pension benefits.

An association of maritime employers in British Columbia, west of Canada, had earlier stated that a coastwide lockout would potentially close all cargo operations for its members across the province except for cruises and grain vessel operations.

Seamus O’Regan, Canada's Minister of Labor, said on the social media platform X that federal mediators are working with parties to reach a settlement.

The BC Maritime Employers Association filed a complaint last week with the CIRB that the union's 72-hour strike was called in "bad faith", and against the Canada Labour Code.

(source: Reuters)