ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — The union representing St. John’s dockworkers says the St. John’s Shipping Association has filed an application claiming the workers provide an essential service ahead of a looming strike.
The Longshoremen’s Protective Union Local 1953 (LSPU) said the employer has applied to the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), claiming that a strike could cause danger to the safety and health of the public.
Dockworkers voted in favour of labour action in March and were positioned to strike after a 21-day cooling-off period ended on April 11.
However, now the union cannot give a strike notice until the CIRB makes a decision on the application.
LSPU president Chris Gosse said several key issues still need to be resolved in the bargaining process.
“Our strong strike mandate reflects the rank-and-file member’s seriousness in pursuing a fair agreement, this is a stall tactic by the employer and shows they are not bargaining in good faith,” said Gosse. “We have yet to see a serious commitment from the St. John’s Shipping Association to address our members’ issues. The right to strike is a charter right, and the employer is using the cord to avoid paying Newfoundland stevedores equivalent wages, pension and health benefits being paid to load and unload the same vessels in Canadian ports.”
The LPSU said it is trying to achieve the same pay rate that the employer pays in Montreal and Halifax for doing the same work on the same vessels.
“Why can’t Newfoundlanders be paid the same as other longshoremen in the rest of Canada for the exact same work?” said Gosse.
