The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU Canada) workers who load and unload cargo at terminals at more than 30 B.C. ports, went on strike on Saturday, July 1.
On Monday, the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) released a statement saying it has gone as far as possible on core issues.
The BCMEA says it has advanced ``reasonable proposals and positions in good faith'' with the hopes of reaching a fair deal and ensuring ports are open and supply chains are stable and reliable.... but says the union refuses to budge.
Meantime, the ILWU Canada workers say they have been bargaining in good faith since February 16th of this year and in their July 3rd statement encouraged the BCMEA to return to the table to work out a fair and reasonable agreement.
The Union says it's been raising the issue of the rampant contracting out of maintenance work for years noting their focus has been to stop the erosion of jurisdiction and the extensive use of contractors.