B.C. port strike: Labour minister tells mediator to pitch deal in bid to break impasse

Federal Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan has instructed mediators under the Labour code to pitch a deal to the two sides in the strike they believe both parties could agree to.

There may be movement towards an end to the bitter labour dispute that has shut down B.C.’s ports.

Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan sent a letter to the lead federal negotiator in the strike Tuesday to trigger section 105(2) of the Canada Labour Code, which allows them to make recommendations for a settlement of the dispute.

Sources say the mediator feels there is a deal to be made, but that at this point neither side is moving towards it.

However, the federal team feels they can craft a deal both parties would sign, and the minister has asked them to draft the proposed agreement, sources told Global News.

“As a result of the hard work by the parties at the bargaining table, there is a good deal within reach – one that would work for both the employer and the union,” O’Regan said in a statement.

“I immediately asked that the mediators send a written recommendation of the terms of settlement to me within 24 hours. Once I have received the terms of settlement, I will forward them to the parties and they will have 24 hours to decide whether or not to recommend ratification of the terms to their principals.”

The B.C. Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) confirmed it had recieved correspondence from O’Regan’s office and was waiting on details of the proposal.