VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Goods that arrive by containers and tankers may soon stop coming into BC ports for awhile.

Tugboat crews employed by Seaspan are set to hold a strike vote tomorrow.

“Local 400 has never been on strike against Seaspan or the towboat industry in the entire history since the 1950s. We’ve always been able to negotiate an agreement,” says Terry Engler with the ILWU Union Local 400.

“We believe we could negotiate a deal with Seaspan’s committee, if the CEO would allow them to be realistic,” he adds.

“We have no choice at the moment but to take a strike vote because the company sent us a letter on May 26th, stating that on June 9th, the company is unilaterally enforcing a seven-year collective agreement with 46 major concessions. They encompass all parts of our collective agreement, from gutting our benefit plan that’s been there since the 70s to issues around increasing the company flexibility, which would — we believe — increase fatigue.”

A couple of months ago, we saw a strike by truckers cripple the flow of goods in and out of our ports. Engler says a strike by their members could have the same effect.

“If Seaspan isn’t working, things would certainly slow down in the harbour. Seaspan has operations in Victoria, Powell River, and Kitimat and those operations will also be affected by their imposing this collective agreement. So, it could be quite major.”

“The company has wanted to basically set the table for us and we don’t get to even have any involvement. We’re basically de-certified. If we can’t be involved in collective bargaining, what’s the point of a union? The company seems to have decided, even though there’s a union certified there, we have no right to collectively bargain,” Engler claims.

Seaspan CEO Jonathan Whitworth says the company is moving forward with “revised terms and conditions of employment” that were set out in the most recent bargaining sessions.

He disputes the unions’ claims that the action violates labour laws.

Whitworth also says the move is necessary for the overall sustainability of the company’s operations moving forward, saying the current collective agreements are not cost-competitive.

Three hundred and fifty workers are set to take part in tomorrow morning’s strike vote.