Longshore workers strike on Monday

[Presto]

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-...iner-terminals

Longshore workers are set to strike at key Port of Vancouver container terminals on Monday morning, wreaking havoc on Canada’s Asia-Pacific gateway and causing economic harm across Canada.

Roughly two thousand workers “will commence strike action at GCT Deltaport and GCT Vanterm on May 27, 2019 at or about 7 a.m.,” reads the strike notice from Robert Ashton, president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada to Eric Waltz, the president of Global Container Terminals Canada.

The letter, sent Thursday, was leaked to Postmedia News.

Deltaport is by far the largest container terminal of the four in Vancouver, Canada’s busiest port. If it and Vanterm on the Vancouver side of Burrard Inlet are shut down, it would cripple most of the port’s container traffic. And, depending on how the union’s picket lines are set up, other terminals could be affected.

The Port of Vancouver is Canada’s largest, and the third largest in North America by tonnes of cargo. It handles the bulk of Canada’s trade with Asia, including container terminals, grain terminals, coal terminals and a host of other facilities.

GCT Canada is one of several port employers which are part of the B.C. Maritime Employers Association, which bargains on their behalf. It has been negotiating a new contract with 6,000 waterfront workers, belonging mostly to the ILWU Canada, since their contract expired in March 2018.

Jeff Scott, chair of the B.C. Maritime Employers Association, said he knew of the 72-hour strike notice, but did not know why the union is targeting GCT Canada and its two terminals.

“It is an unfortunate step,” Scott said. “We’re deeply concerned about the economic impact that a potential strike could have on the economic security of Canada, and the Canadian economy as a whole.”

In February 2011, before the last collective agreement was struck, an official at the employers’ association said a full-scale port strike would cost the Canadian economy $100 million a day. That number would be far higher today.

Union president Ashton said he had no comment, when contacted on Thursday night by Postmedia.

Ashton’s last public comment was on May 10, when he issued a news release stating the union had received a 98.4 per cent mandate from members “to take strike action if necessary to negotiate a new contract at ports throughout British Columbia.”

At that time, Ashton said talks with the B.C. Maritime Employers Association were scheduled to resume the week of May 21 and that the union remained “optimistic an agreement could be reached successfully without job action.”

In that release, Ashton indicated members were primarily concerned about job losses due to automation.

Scott said he could not reveal what the stumbling blocks were in the current negotiations. He said the association remained focused on reaching a new agreement “in the interest of all parties.”

The letter to GCT Canada was also forwarded to the federal Department of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour. Department officials could not be reached Thursday night. The federal government, rather than the province, has authority over labour relations at the port.

There have been 12 labour disruptions at the Port of Vancouver since 1969. There was a nine-day lockout in 1999, a one-day strike in 1998 and another strike in 1995. This resulted in 175 days lost, not counting 2005, when truckers withdrew their services for six weeks.

The ILWU Canada has several bargaining locals in B.C. The two that represent workers at Vanterm and Deltaport are Local 500 and Local 502. Workers in Prince Rupert are represented by Local 505 and Local 508 on Vancouver Island. There are also negotiations underway with Local 514 that represents waterfront foremen.

In 2018, shipments through the Port of Vancouver’s four container terminals reached a record 3.4 million 20-foot-equivalent containers. In Vancouver, containers arrive filled with appliances, clothing and other consumer goods — including auto parts and manufactured goods — and leave containing mostly grain, lumber and food products. The Port of Vancouver expects to reach container capacity soon and is working to expand terminals.

[GabAlmighty]

Unions... They fit in the same bracket as Government and City workers.

So they're striking because too many things are being automated?

[Nlkko]

Must be nice to be able to hold everyone hostage every time you want a non-merit base raise.

[Badhobz]

They got Canada by the balls, the strike won't last and they'll get what they want.

[whitev70r]

Um ... There is a 'no need to start a new thread' thread.

[mikemhg]

My heart is bleeding for these nepotism enriched longshoremen, Hell's Angels turned Union bro's need another raise for their already overpaid job?

Fascinating.

[MarkyMark]

My best friend is a member at Deltaport and after meeting a few of the guys he works with you can tell most of these guys are highschool dropouts that won the lottery getting a job there making damn near $70 an hour if you work graveyards. They've had it gravy a long ass time I've heard the stories about showing up for work, leaving right away and getting paid for the whole shift etc. And you wonder why they want to automate shit lol

[will068]

Originally Posted by GabAlmighty

Unions... They fit in the same bracket as Government and City workers.

So they're striking because too many things are being automated?

It's inevitable.

#AndrewYang2020 #YangGang

[Mr.Money]

Hire a bunch of Replacement immigrants All over Asia,they won't mind.


they'd do it in a fucking eye blink coming to Canada and laugh their a bunch of dumb mother fuckers for wanting more with the new job they got..


good thing i don't run the government because i would fuck them over hard for striking in the first place.

[Infiniti]

Originally Posted by Mr.Money

good thing i don't run the government because i would fuck them over hard for striking in the first place.

OOoooooh another arm-chair politician! Plz, share how you would go about doing this?

[Mr.Money]

like i said i would be an elitist offering their jobs to Mr.Noodles across the ocean if we cant find enough Canadian replacements,being a longshore worker sounds like a Monkey could do it,i would recoup my loses if they want to return,a "Strike" tax would be knocking on bank accounts because signed under contract.


Fuck it...lets just get Tesla involved to run a fully automated container terminal with hydraulic robots,how hard would it be to stack and keep control of container port all animated by machine?

[Yodamaster]

Look no further for the source of illegal shit entering the country, automation can't come soon enough.

[MarkyMark]

Originally Posted by Yodamaster

Look no further for the source of illegal shit entering the country, automation can't come soon enough.

lol you think the labourers set that up? They have no say in what containers show up to the port

[GS8]

Sad to see what unions originally stood for have devolved into what you see now.

i used to be part of a huge union and ended up hating it. I was young and very naive. I went to enough meetings where I got weird vibes. Shit wasn't adding up. I walked away thinking this was some weird hybrid of a self-governmental body and legal organized crime. I just felt dirty and had enough.

Ehh maybe not all unions are the same but I wouldn't go near the one I was in...

[hud 91gt]

Originally Posted by Infiniti

OOoooooh another arm-chair politician! Plz, share how you would go about doing this?

The government took my right to strike when we threatened. Christy Clarke is a $$&&. I mean lovely person. Lol

Originally Posted by MarkyMark

lol you think the labourers set that up? They have no say in what containers show up to the port

I don’t exactly know what he is eluding too, but organized crime isn’t usually a 1 man job.

[mikemhg]

Originally Posted by MarkyMark

lol you think the labourers set that up? They have no say in what containers show up to the port

You'd be VERY surprised my friend.

As I said above, the longshoremen have long been tied with organized crime, if you think what's coming through the ports, Fentanyl for example, isn't related to that, you have another thing coming.

I agree, automate these assholes.

[quasi]

Originally Posted by mikemhg

You'd be VERY surprised my friend.

As I said above, the longshoremen have long been tied with organized crime, if you think what's coming through the ports, Fentanyl for example, isn't related to that, you have another thing coming.

I agree, automate these assholes.

Agreed, clipped half the article click the link for full thing.

https://vancouversun.com/news/staff-...e-of-my-series

More than two dozen of the longshoremen unloading container ships on the docks of Metro Vancouver are Hells Angels, their associates, other gangsters or people with serious criminal records, a Vancouver Sun investigation has found.

The infiltration of gangsters and criminals into the port workforce is perpetuated by a longtime employment practice that allows existing union members to nominate friends, relatives and associates when new jobs become available.

Police say organized crime maintains this foothold on the waterfront for strategic purposes — so drugs and other contraband can be smuggled in some of the more than 1.5 million containers that pass through the four container terminals at Port Metro Vancouver every year.

Just over three per cent of containers arriving here are checked by the Canada Border Services Agency.

“It is a concern to us. We feel that a lot of the illegal drugs that come into this country come in through our ports,” said Det.-Staff. Sgt. Len Isnor, the country’s top law enforcement expert on the Hells Angels. Isnor, who works for the Ontario Provincial Police, has testified at several major B.C. cases involving the biker gang.

Isnor said the Hells Angels have maintained a foothold in Canada’s three largest ports — Vancouver, Montreal and Halifax — for the past 30 years.

“So as far as the ports are concerned, it’s the whole success of the Hells Angels.”

While airports have tightened security in the post-9/11 world, Metro Vancouver docks remain relatively porous, allowing people linked to organized crime, and even some convicted of international drug smuggling, to work on the waterfront.

The Sun has identified at least six full-patch Hells Angels who are active members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.

Some have worked on the docks for years, like Al DeBruyn, a senior White Rock Hells Angel who started in 1981 — two years before the HA was set up in B.C.

Other Hells Angels joined the longshoremen more recently. Rob Alvarez of the elite Nomads chapter and Kelowna Angel Damiano Dipopolo started on May 24, 2012. West Point Hells Angel Ryan Sept started just last year, nominated by another full-patch member of his chapter.

Bikers aren’t the only people with links to crime working on the waterfront.

Others who police have publicly identified as gangsters, like Mani Buttar and Bobby Tajinder Gill, are also longshoremen, as are some of their associates.

Buttar has been a member of Local 502, a Vancouver local of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, since 1998. The local provides hundreds of workers a day to Fraser Surrey docks and Deltaport. And Buttar, whose two brothers died in gangland shootings, is on his union’s executive committee despite a lengthy criminal history.

Gill is in jail after police issued a warrant for him several months ago on some outstanding charges.

The Sun has documented 27 active longshoremen with gang or criminal links from various sources of information, including public records and union membership lists.

That number doesn’t include the “inactive” members of the union who are also Hells Angels — East End President John Bryce, Nomads Angel Gino Zumpano, Haney member Vince Brienza, West Point member Larry Amero and former Vancouver president Norm Krogstad.

ILWU national president Mark Gordienko agreed to be interviewed for The Vancouver Sun series. But he cancelled without explanation the day before the interview. He also declined through a spokesman to answer written questions for The Sun.

The Hells Angels did not respond to emailed interview requests.

No criminal checks

Police admit there’s a serious problem when criminals and gangsters have the ability to move drugs and other contraband through Port Metro Vancouver.

A series of government and police reports about organized crime on the waterfront and obtained by the Sun show authorities have been documenting concerns for two decades.

“The presence of numerous members of organized crime groups (OCGs) as dockside employees of the Port of Vancouver, coupled with the ability to access the port by members of OCGs employed in the trucking industry creates a high-risk for smuggling at the port,” says a September 2010 internal Border Services Agency report.

The only way someone can get hired as a longshoreman in B.C. is by the ILWU putting their name forward.

Port Metro Vancouver then issues a basic port pass. A criminal record check is not required, yet the pass allows wide access to the tens of thousands of containers stacked behind locked gates in Vancouver, Surrey and Delta.

Port Metro vice-president Peter Xotta said he was unaware of how many port pass holders are Hells Angels or others with criminal links.

“We certainly don’t have that level of detail,” he said.

“My sense of it is it is much more difficult for this (criminal) activity to occur on the waterfront. That’s not to say that there aren’t elements or individuals on the waterfront and in other parts of working society in Vancouver that aren’t involved in some sort of activity that could give rise to concern.”

Andy Smith, president of the B.C. Maritime Employers Association, said his agency is aware of the Hells Angels and others with gang connections on the docks.

“Yes, we are aware of who they are. They make no secret of it,” he said.

But he also said his association’s role is to ensure longshore workers are properly trained, not worry about their criminal histories.

“It is not within my mandate,” Smith said. “We are a service provider to the industry — primarily to labour relations and training and secondarily in terms of government relations and social outreach. In any of those arenas, we have yet to see a situation where someone’s criminal associations or participation in the Hells Angels, or whatever, has been an issue.”

Some of the thousands of dock workers in B.C. also possess a higher-security Transportation Security Clearance pass issued by Transport Canada that allows them inside restricted zones on the waterfront. Workers are screened for links to organized crime and criminal records before those passes, known as TSC, are issued.

But Smith said the restricted zones at the port are small compared to the areas accessed with the general pass.

“If you are talking about access of workers to long rows of containers which are in lightly populated work areas day or night, the TSC doesn’t come into it,” he said.

Guy Morgan, director of security and screening programs for Transport Canada, wouldn’t comment specifically on the Hells Angels or other criminals working on the waterfront. But he said his agency does screen several ways for links to organized crime before issuing the TSC passes.

He suggested the Hells Angels on the Sun’s list don’t have the high-security passes — though he wouldn’t say so directly or comment on any individuals.

“If Transport Canada receives any information that an existing clearance holder poses a security threat, we act on it,” Morgan said.

By contrast, airport workers who handle baggage and cargo “have to have the security clearance under the Transport Canada program,” Vancouver airport Authority spokesman Chris Devauld said.

[westopher]

I'd be happy to replace any one of them at their current pay rate.

[PeanutButter]

Longshoreman... I think that's one of the few profession that no one feels sorry for..

Don't they all make $100k+
And managers and foreman make $200k+

This is interesting.

[Badhobz]

The ports pay very well. A longshoremen on the higher boards/member can make 120-150k a year. But that's grinding pretty hard. Foremen can make 300k but never see home again. Us managers are roughly 150 to 200 depending on position and seniority

But it'll take like 10+ years to go up in seniority. The first few years long shoring you won't even make 40k but you still have to show up to plug in. I'm glad I ain't doing that, it's not really all that great of a job until you put in 10+ years.

[Nlkko]

Highly paid men and women working jobs that requires low skills wanting to be paid more than the 6 figs they're already paid. I'm listening.

[Mr.HappySilp]

Wonder if the stuff I order online will be delay.

[originalhypa]

Originally Posted by Badhobz

They got Canada by the balls, the strike won't last and they'll get what they want. P.s. free day off for meeeee

The first strike I had to deal with was the trucker strike in 2005 that lasted a couple of months. A year later the Port striked, and it was about 3 months before things got back to normal. I lost half of my business thanks to those two strikes. Over the years I've built the business back up, only to have the unions pull this garbage again in 2011, and 2014.

Originally Posted by PeanutButter

Longshoreman... I think that's one of the few profession that no one feels sorry for..

And realtors, and fentanyl dealers...

Originally Posted by Badhobz

The ports pay very well. A longshoremen on the higher boards/member can make 120-150k a year.

Spoiler!

But that's grinding pretty hard. Foremen can make 300k but never see home again. Us managers are roughly 150 to 200 depending on position and seniority

But it'll take like 10+ years to go up in seniority. The first few years long shoring you won't even make 40k but you still have to show up to plug in. I'm glad I ain't doing that, it's not really all that great of a job until you put in 10+ years.

My friend works at Viterra. He started as a grunt,with a broom, sweeping up rat droppings, to some sort of unloading crew now. He works a lot of hours, and at all times of the day. I've seen him change over the years, from being a happy go lucky guy, to a hard drinking miserable cvnt. It's definitely not an easy job, but as he says "I have a high school diploma and no training. Where else am I going to make $85k/yr?"

[subordinate]

Originally Posted by originalhypa

The first strike I had to deal with was the trucker strike in 2005 that lasted a couple of months. A year later the Port striked, and it was about 3 months before things got back to normal. I lost half of my business thanks to those two strikes. Over the years I've built the business back up, only to have the unions pull this garbage again in 2011, and 2014.

That's unfortunate, but what do you consider the alternative? When the conservatives were in power, companies figured S.Harper would push the back to work legislation. So why would companies actually give something decent to the unions? Now with a liberal gov't, there's no better time to get something better for their members.

Let's face it, companies are becoming more automated, lean, etc, reducing work forces and hours. Do members do nothing about it, don't strike, and let thousands suffer and also other unions because this is a new precedence? These companies are just making regular folks fight for scraps when the real issue is these Multi Nationals making record profits year after year while reducing everything previously good about the job.

My friend works at Viterra. He started as a grunt,with a broom, sweeping up rat droppings, to some sort of unloading crew now. He works a lot of hours, and at all times of the day. I've seen him change over the years, from being a happy go lucky guy, to a hard drinking miserable cvnt. It's definitely not an easy job, but as he says "I have a high school diploma and no training. Where else am I going to make $85k/yr?"

I think it depends on the person and perspective. I'm in railroading and am content. It's a daily effort to maintain a decent diet and exercise. 85K on a HS Diploma and rotating schedule and D.B pension, I'd be happy. If not, save and go do something else instead blow your cheques on booze and parties.

[mikemhg]

Thanks for posting this, and is exactly what I've bene saying.

The Canadian government, and the RCMP more specifically are wholly corrupt. That's what has angered me so much about this fake outrage about Vancouver's Fentanyl "crisis". The problem is staring the RCMP and Canadian Gov right in the face, yet it is almost purposely ignored.

Originally Posted by quasi

Agreed, clipped half the article click the link for full thing.

https://vancouversun.com/news/staff-...e-of-my-series