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WORKFORCE OPERATIONS
& DISPATCH

For 365 days a year, over 24 hours and 3 times a day, the BCMEA is responsible for dispatching up to 1,500 job requests to ports in Vancouver and Squamish out of the BCMEA’s Dispatch Centre located in Vancouver, B.C. Our dispatch process ensures ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓÆµ personnel are selected and deployed to efficiently meet our members’ labour needs and optimize waterfront operations to support all sectors including but not limited to bulk, break bulk, grain, container and cruise general cargo.

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Right Training

Comprehensive Skills Training

Our comprehensive training programs equip workers with the skills they need to perform waterfront operations safely and efficiently.

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Right Worker

Ensuring the Perfect Match

Accurate forecasting and precise dispatch ensures ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓÆµ workers with the required skills are matched with members’ needs.

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Right Job

Fulfilling the Required Roles

We match workers with the necessary skills and training to jobs across the waterfront, through efficient dispatch to member terminal sites.

The waterfront operates with an elect-to-work workforce, where longshore workers are able to choose when they want to make themselves available to work. Through long-range forecasting, the BCMEA’s Dispatch team work with the ILWU business agents to provide a just-in-time workforce by anticipating member needs and matching available labour with the required jobs.

A computerized call-out system ensures positions are filled quickly, providing real-time updates and advance work information on new job positions through an interactive voice response system and web portal.  

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Ensuring efficient and effective daily dispatch of labour cannot happen without utilizing advanced data analytics and processes. The BCMEA’s Dispatch team works closely with our Data Analytics department to forecast labour demands and ensure timely and accessible work information.   

Using innovative data analytics, the BCMEA can forecast vessels six weeks in advance – informing everything from long term workforce planning to daily fulfillment of labour requests.  

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Ensuring real-time access to work information and job requirements on the waterfront is critical to keeping B.C.’s ports moving.

The BCMEA is responsible for providing the Vancouver longshore workforce with MyBCMEA – a digital platform that streamlines access to vital work information, resources and services. This personalized online dashboard is where the workforce can manage their schedules, access training, and work information. Centralizing key information effectively keeps workers connected to ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓÆµ information, so ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓÆµ job is filled at ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓÆµ time to ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓÆµ terminal site.

Workers can view the current dispatch and declare availability at the MyBCMEA portal. Password required to access.