B.C. port employers launch lockout at terminals in labour dispute with workers

Employers at British Columbia ports say they are going ahead with locking out more than 700 foremen across the province after strike activities from union members began.

Employers have locked out more than 700 unionized workers in the latest development in a labour dispute that the union says will shut down all ports in British Columbia until further notice.

The BC Maritime Employers Association said Monday that its "difficult decision" to impose the lockout came after the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 commenced "industry-wide strike activity" at employers' terminals.

The employers association said in a release that the lockout in response to strike action would begin on the 4:30 p.m. shift on Monday and continue until further notice, but it would not affect grain or cruise operations.

"ILWU Local 514's strike action has already begun to impact B.C.'s waterfront operations and strike activity can easily escalate, including a complete withdrawal of labour without notice," the employers said in explaining its decision to lock out union members.

Local 514 said in an email response that members went to work as normal at 8 a.m. Monday, but an overtime ban was implemented and workers would "refuse to participate in technological change as their limited job action."

A statement from the union on Monday in response to the lockout said employers have "deliberately and irresponsibly overreacted" to its overtime ban, which was aimed at restarting stalled talks that have been ongoing for almost two years.

Local 514 president Frank Morena said in the statement that the employers' lockout is a "clear effort to force the federal government to intervene."