VANCOUVER — The union representing tugboat crews in ports across B.C. says members will hold a strike vote Tuesday as Seaspan threatens to impose changes to a collective agreement.

Federal Labour Minister Kellie Leitch also intends to meet with both sides in the dispute in Vancouver Tuesday to encourage them to reach a negotiated settlement, according to her press secretary Andrew McGrath.

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Terry Engler, president of the International Longshore and Warehouse union, Local 400, said the company is set to make 46 changes to the contract next week. He said the local has not been on strike since it was formed in the 1950s and any job action resulting from what he calls Seaspan’s confrontational approach could cripple operations at Port Metro Vancouver, Deltaport and other ports.

With Seaspan handling 70 per cent of ship-docking and escorting work in the Vancouver port, company CEO Jonathan Whitworth said “the Asia Pacific gateway shuts down,” if the employees go on strike.

It would be the second major labour disruption at Port Metro Vancouver following the 28-day work stoppage in March by port truck drivers.

Engler said Seaspan tugs do most of the work on the waterfront, assisting freighters, tankers and other vessels docking and leaving port.

Capt. Mike Armstrong, president of the western branch of the Canadian Merchant Service Guild, which represents tugboat captains and engineers, said Seaspan is also threatening to unilaterally impose contract changes on its members.

Armstrong’s union will take a strike vote Wednesday.

The unions said they are fighting the company’s move to impose a new contract, after eight months of negotiations and conciliation, The changes would cut benefits and re-write clauses related to premium pay and overtime that would mean a drop of about 20 per cent in pay and benefits.

Whitworth said the company is offering employees a raise in base pay, but needs more flexibility in overtime and scheduling and lower benefit costs to compete with other companies that have been winning work away from Seaspan.

Seaspan tugs push and tow vessels and barges in and around Victoria and Esquimalt harbours.

In Victoria, Seaspan has three red and white tugs that have been based at Ogden Point since 2012. They were previously positioned in a leased location in the Upper Harbour. The tugs are the 63.5-foot-long Seaspan Foam, the 50.6-foot-long Charles H. Cates IV, and the 41-foot-long Charles H. Cates XX.

They are often seen hauling barges filled with materials from Schnitzer Steel and the Ralmax Group of Companies. They also push freighters into position to dock at Ogden Point and carry heavy lines used to tie up visiting cruise ships.

— with files from Times Colonist and Vancouver Sun