NDP congratulates port workers on reaching agreement with employers

Following the news that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), representing port workers, and the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) reached an agreement, NDP Transport Critic Taylor Bachrach made this statement:

“British Columbia’s port workers are a critical link in Canada’s supply chain and make an outsized contribution to our country’s economy. I want to congratulate the members of the ILWU on reaching an agreement with the employer. This outcome shows once again that the collective bargaining process works and should be respected, and that through solidarity and good faith bargaining workers can secure the agreements they deserve.

From the start, my NDP colleagues and I have called on the Liberal government to support the collective bargaining process and reject the use of back-to-work legislation. In the past, successive Conservative and Liberal governments have been too quick to legislate workers back to work, which has served to undermine workers’ rights.

Workers’ rights enshrined in Canada’s Constitution have enabled improved conditions for generations of working Canadians. The NDP continues to push to strengthen workers’ rights in Canada, including important legislation banning the use of replacement workers.

New Democrats will always stand alongside workers and stand up for their rights. We’ll do everything we can to ensure that back-to-work legislation is never again used to undermine the power of Canadian workers.”