April 9, 2014
By Stephanie West
Ottawa, CANADA – The Halifax Employers Association and several labor organizations including members of the Halifax Longshoremen's Association Local 269, the Halifax Freight and Steamship Checkers Union Local 1341, and the Halifax Gear Repair and Maintenance Men Local 1825 successfully reaching a new collective agreement at the Port of Halifax.
The Port of Halifax is a gateway for trade to and from North America. The Port handles a wide range of cargo destined for, or originating in, 150 countries worldwide.
Over the past five years, 94% of collective bargaining negotiations in the federal jurisdiction were resolved without a work stoppage when the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service was involved.
This agreement covers approximately 300 longshoremen, foremen and walking bosses, as well as approximately 70 checkers and 70 gear repair men working at the Halifax port. The parties' previous collective agreement expired on December 31, 2013. The parties reached the agreement with the assistance of the Canadian Mediation and Conciliation Service.
"I am pleased that the Halifax Employers Association and the Council of International Longshoremen's Association worked together to reach an agreement. This agreement allows the employer and employees to pursue their work and contribute to the Port's international competitiveness," said
Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour.
