Minister Leitch applauds Seaspan ULC, International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 400 and the Canadian Merchant Service Guild on ending their labour dispute

Parties decide to send outstanding issues to a voluntary mediation-arbitration process

OTTAWA, June 14, 2014 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, congratulated Seaspan ULC, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 400 and the Canadian Merchant Service Guild on agreeing to a mediation-arbitration process. This agreement will ensure uninterrupted Seaspan operations at Port Metro Vancouver, contributing to Canada's international competitiveness.

The mediation-arbitration process will determine two new collective agreements for approximately 400 Seaspan employees working on board vessels owned and/or operated by Seaspan ULC.  The collective agreements between Seaspan and the two unions had expired on September 30, 2013.

The agreement between the three parties followed all day meetings with Minister Leitch, who travelled to Vancouver, yesterday, to meet the three parties to encourage them to end their dispute by agreeing to a mediation-arbitration process. The parties also received assistance from the Labour Program's Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, which provides dispute resolution and dispute prevention assistance to trade unions and employers under the Canada Labour Code.

Quick Facts

• Port Metro Vancouver is Canada's largest and busiest port, accounting for 54 percent of Canada's international container traffic.
• The Port handles trade in goods worth $172 billion per year with 160 countries.
• Close to 100,000 Canadians earning $6 billion in wages depend on the activities linked to the Port.
• The Port contributes nearly $10 billion to Canada's GDP and more than $20 billion in economic output.

Quote

"I congratulate Seaspan ULC, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 400 and the Canadian Merchant Service Guild for working together to agree to end these labour disputes. By voluntarily agreeing to a mediation-arbitration process, the parties are ensuring that operations at Canada's busiest port will proceed without interruption and continue to support the 100,000 Canadians whose jobs rely on Port Metro Vancouver's significant contribution to our economy."
- The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women

Associated Link

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

SOURCE: Employment and Social Development Canada