Vancouver longshoremen agree to labor deal

Leadership of Canadian local recommends approval of five-year contract.    GCT Canada, which operates two container terminals, has reached a tentative five-year labor contract with Local 502 of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
    The agreement was reached through negotiations for about 15 months between the parties with the assistance of mediators from Canada’s Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
   GCT operates both the Deltaport and Vanterm terminals in Vancouver.
   Eric Waltz, the president of GCT Canada, said in a note posted on the company’s website that the agreement follows 15 months of negotiations for GCT planners and assistant planners.
   Rob Ashton, the president of ILWU Canada, said the 55 planners will join about 2,500-3,000 members of Local 502 that work at GCT Deltaport and other terminals along the Fraser River.
   He added, “ILWU Local 502 withdrew its strike notice that was issued September 3, 2018, and is recommending that members vote in favour of the agreement.”