It was a rollercoaster weekend for port workers in BC which saw them reject a tentative collective bargaining agreement only to reach another.
Members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union voted to reject the initial settlement on Friday.
Proposed by Federal mediators, that agreement had ended a 13 day strike, which disrupted billions in cargo, and led to supply chain uncertainty.
Union members said the settlement still failed to protect jobs against third party contractors and lacked adequate training opportunities.
Following the rejection, Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan had asked the Industrial Relations Board to look into whether a negotiated settlement was possible.
But, with the assistance of the Board, the Union and BC Maritime Employers Association reached a tentative agreement last night.
While no details on the agreement have been released, both parties say they will be recommending ratification to their members.
Both sides must still vote before the agreement can be finalized, ending a month of uncertainty for Canada’s global trade prospects.
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