Last week port workings in B.C. were ordered back to work by the Federal Government while binding arbitration talks take place between the International Longshore Warehouse Union and the BC Maritime Employers Association, which represents federal port operators across B.C.

In Prince Rupert, ILWU Local 514, which represent union workers at two of Prince Rupert’s port terminals, believe Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon is treating ILWU workers unfairly, which is why the union is challenging the ministers order for binding arbitration in federal court under a Charter of Rights challenge.

Although negotiations between the BCMEA and the ILWU union have been ongoing for months, at the beginning of November, talks broke down, a growing trend, as postal workers also walked picket lines today.

The ILWU union is reserving comment until after challenge of the order is review by an appeals court, CICK did speak with Bill Tieleman of West Star Communications who has been working with the International Longshore Warehouse Union.

On November 12th, the federal minister for Labour, Steven MacKinnon spoke to reporters in Ottawa after ordering both sides to binding arbitration, a move some are criticising sets a dangerous president for workers’ rights in Canada.