B.C. trucking companies ratify deals with Unifor

Striking continues at several companies

Unifor is finalizing collective agreements with several Port Metro Vancouver trucking companies after employees withdrew services on Nov. 23.

Employees launched the labour action after being without a contract for 18 months. The drivers previously shut down Port Metro Vancouver for nearly four weeks in March 2014 in protest of wage undercutting and long wait times.

Six companies have ratified deals with the union following days of around-the-clock bargaining. These companies employ approximately 75 per cent of the truck drivers represented by Unifor.

The agreements — which include guarantees of retroactive pay and improvements to compensation for transporting certain goods — will last until 2019.

The deals also require the companies to contribute to a benefit plan for both owner-operators and company drivers.

According to Unifor, shipping companies Port Transport and Harbour Link have so far refused to ratify deals that are consistent with the union’s other collective agreements. Drivers at those companies remain on strike.

Latest stories