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VANCOUVER, Jan. 12, 2016 /CNW/ - Trucking company Port Transport Ltd made illegal use of replacement workers during the current labour dispute, according to a new ruling from the BC Labour Relations Board (BCLRB). The BCLRB's Vice Chair ordered the company to immediately cease and desist, to provide disclosure of dispatch records on a weekly basis to Unifor, and made an order for payment of financial damages.
"Replacement workers don't solve strikes, they only make matters worse," said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor's BC Area Director. "Instead of breaking the law, Port Transport needs to work with us to get a deal or suffer from further financial hardship."
Only Port Transport and Harbour Link Container Services remain behind picket lines today after 75% of truck drivers represented by Unifor have ratified collective agreements. The workers have been on strike since late November 2015.
The new Unifor contracts with six other companies won't expire until July 2019—a major step towards stability at Port Metro Vancouver. The new deal ensures that all outstanding retro pay will be paid out to drivers within 30 days, improves rates for CN and CP moves, and fixes the pay chart for "off dock" moves. In addition to job security protections and better dispatching language, companies will also start contributing toward a benefit plan for both owner-operators and company drivers.
"Port Transport can't use scabs and they now face damages because they broke the law to undermine the union," said McGarrigle. "Harbour Link owes thousands of dollars to our members under the Container Trucking Act yet they are still trying to avoid a fair deal. The fact is our members are strong and determined. The only solution here is for these companies to stop the games and sign the pattern deal inked by most of the sector."
Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 310,000 workers. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers unions merged.
