Westshore is described as the most important coal export terminal on the west coast of North America, taking coal from B.C., Alberta, in addition to the Powder River Basin and Montana.
Article content material
The longshore and warehouse union at Westshore Terminals is on strike, suspending operations at one in all Canada’s largest and busiest ports for transferring coal.
Commercial 2
Article content material
Westshore Terminals handles greater than 33 million tonnes of coal from its docks at Roberts Banks in Delta, though it has been transitioning to different commodities reminiscent of potash.
Article content material
Westshore is described as the most important coal export terminal on the west coast of North America, taking coal from B.C., Alberta, in addition to the Powder River Basin and Montana.
Article content material
The 2 western provinces make up 90 per cent of Canada’s manufacturing of coal. Coal accounts for 45 per cent of B.C.’s complete mining income.
Westshore has been in negotiations since October 2021 with the Worldwide Longshore and Warehouse Union Native 502 for a brand new collective settlement.
The final one, and people of the 2 different ILWU Locals on the terminal, expired in January 2022.
Commercial 3
Article content material
After talks broke down on Friday afternoon, the union’s web site invited members and their family and friends to hitch the picket line, beginning early Saturday morning.
It’s estimated between 100 to 200 employees are on strike.
The picket line is past a safety entry space for the GCT Deltaport, which can be situated on Roberts Banks.
Guests who would not have a port cross must scan a driver’s licence or different identification to be able to get clearance after which attain the picket line, which is ready up exterior the Westshore Terminals work website.
On Sunday, the union was handing out an info pamphlet to employees who arrived to be a part of the picket line.
The pamphlet stated that the ILWU Native 502 has labored at Westshore Terminals for the reason that terminal opened in 1970 and in 52 years, the union has by no means needed to strike at Westshore.
Commercial 4
Article content material
“Westshore Terminals has modified its administration model prior to now years, instantly affecting our member’s high quality of life,” it stated.
Whereas Westshore Terminal has not suffered and has continued to prosper, the union membership “of their private and work lives have confronted many difficulties over the previous few years, reminiscent of working by an unprecedented pandemic, price of dwelling will increase and skyrocketing inflation,” famous the pamphlet.
It added that for the reason that starting of 2021, Westshore Terminals has elevated its dividend thrice and issued two particular dividends with the whole dividends paid in extra of $220.5 million.
Westshore Terminals Funding Corp. is Vancouver-based and listed on the Toronto Inventory Alternate. It wholly owns the subsidiary Westshore Terminals Restricted Partnership, which runs the terminal. Westshore Terminals Funding Corp has a market cap of $1.86 billion.
Commercial 5
Article content material
The Jim Pattison Group owns greater than 40% of WTIC shares.
The corporate on Friday in an announcement that “the work stoppage will lead to a whole suspension of operations on the terminal.”
In an announcement final week, it stated whereas strike discover had been served, the events stay in touch and proceed to have the help of a mediator below the Canada Labour Code. On Friday, Westshore stated there have been no additional negotiations scheduled between the corporate and the union.
“At this level, our solely remark is that we now have no remark,” stated Hermen Kailley, secretary-treasurer of the ILWU Native 502.
Westshore’s vice-president and basic supervisor, Glenn Dudar, didn’t reply to Postmedia.
-
Delayed cruise departure largest strain level in labour dispute at Seaspan
-
Seaspan tugboat employees begin strike after ‘deadlock’ in negotiations
Extra information, fewer advertisements: Our in-depth journalism is feasible due to the help of our subscribers. For simply $3.50 per week, you may get limitless, ad-lite entry to The Vancouver Solar, The Province, Nationwide Submit and 13 different Canadian information websites. Help us by subscribing at present: The Vancouver Solar | The Province.
