Photo credit: BC Maritime Employers Association website

Three quarters of union members voted to approve the tentative agreement proposed to end the labour dispute on the West Coast.

Port workers in British Columbia have accepted the new tentative deal with their employers, however no details of the contract have been released. According to the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association, the new agreement provides increased wages, benefits and training for workers.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is very relieved about the recent agreement, however small businesses suffered, as the strike disrupted the movement of up to $775 million in goods per day. CFIB says it will take weeks for the backlog to be addressed.

A news release from CFIB states that “this experience is a case study of the urgent need to rethink Canada’s labour laws, ensuring that the needs of the broader economy and Canada’s international reputation are considered in cases of strikes and lockouts in critical areas.”

The strike, which began on Canada Day and lasted 13 days, shut down over 30 port terminals, including Canada’s busiest one, the port of Vancouver.