Negotiations
Representing maritime employers to achieve balanced collective agreements
Keeping Canada鈥檚 West Coast Ports Moving Forward
Negotiating Collective Agreements for B.C.’s Waterfront
The BCMEA is responsible for the administration and renewal of two coastwide collective agreements with the International Longshore & Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU) on behalf of the Longshore Locals and Local 514 Ship & Dock Foremen. These agreements cover wages, benefits, hours of work, and employment conditions for over 7,400 longshore workers and foremen at Canada鈥檚 West Coast ports.
The BCMEA is dedicated to achieving fair agreements that recognize the skills of B.C.鈥檚 waterfront workforce, while keeping Canada鈥檚 West Coast ports competitive, resilient and affordable for all Canadians.
We appreciate that stable and reliable West Coast ports are critical to our nation鈥檚 economic and social well-being. That鈥檚 why we鈥檙e dedicated to making reasonable efforts to conclude agreements without undue disruptions to Canada鈥檚 and the global supply chain.
Negotiation Updates
June 4, 2025
BCMEA & ILWU Local 514 Joint News Release
November 14, 2024
Local 514 Bargaining Update – Resumption of Operations – November 14
November 12, 2024
Local 514 Bargaining Update – Minister of Labour Orders End to Labour Disruption at Ports; Imposes Binding Arbitration
Past Agreements