The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada will officially go on strike around 9 a.m. PDT on July 22 after the union provided a 72-hour notice to their employer counterparts, according to the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association.
Canada’s longshore workers had gone on strike Tuesday after a union division rejected a tentative deal with maritime employers. But the next morning, the Canada Industrial Relations Board cited the strike activity that occurred July 18 as “unlawful,” and ordered the union to cease and desist.
As provided by the Canada Labor Code, a 72-hour notice was required, the Canada Industrial Relations Board said.
The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) - an independent body created to keep industrial peace - this morning ruled that the ILWU Canada cease and desist from participating in any strike action because the union did not provide 72 hours notice.
— Seamus O'Regan Jr (@SeamusORegan) July 19, 2023
This strike is illegal. pic.twitter.com/y8NuxjDmR8
ILWU Canada President Rob Ashton said in a statement Wednesday the union had the right to strike, and plans to appeal the agency's decision, but will nonetheless respect the ruling and reissue a notice.
"The ILWU regrets the economic impact of this labour dispute and that government interference such as the CIRB order will only serve to lengthen the strike," Ashton said.
The union provided their employers with the official notice on Wednesday, according to the BCMEA.The employer group said the re-issue of a strike notice will “continue to grind operations to a half at Canada’s largest ports,” causing further disruptions and delays.
