April 13, 2011 BCMEA BULLETIN Feeder Hole Pouring Update - Arbitration Wednesday, April 06, 2011 06:41 PM The Association was successful in a 2-day Arbitration (April 5th and 6th) regarding whether feeder hole operations were captured by the continuous operations Memorandum of Understanding called Grain Operations. The Arbitrator provided an immediate oral decision on the issue after the completion of the Arbitration last week. As noted below, the union said that feeder holes were not captured under the 2003 MOU (new operation) and as such 45 days notice was required under 21.05. In the alternate, the union said that if notice was not required that the Industry arbitrator could provide remedy to any outstanding disputes. The dispute from their perspective was that a 3 man gang was not adequate to perform all the necessary tasks, which includes spelling each other off for breaks. The Arbitrator did not accept either of their positions and said that the language was clear in 21.05 as was the MOA, which says, the following terms and conditions shall apply to vessel operations at Canadian West Coast Grain Terminals He also said there was no provision in the MOU to review manning in relation to an adjustment. Again, the union s arguments failed on all fronts. Feeder Hole Operations are covered by the 2003 MOU. More details on this issue and the decision to follow. Union Meeting Nights: Mainland Locals Vancouver (500) April 13, 2011 New West. (502) April 13, 2011 Vancouver Island Local Chemainus (508) April 11, 2011 Northern Local Prince Rupert (505) April 12, 2011 Please be guided by the provisions of Article 15 in the Collective Agreement with respect to working restrictions and conditions on Union Meeting Nights. 1 500, Vancouver, British Columbia V6A1A4 Telephone: (604) 688-1155 Fax: (604) 684-2397 Web: www.bcmea.com
BC waterfront dockers/ employers in prolonged deadlock 2011-04-01Maritime Magazine A federal mediator has stepped in to seek a new collective agreement between maritime employers and 4,500 dockers locked in a prolonged deadlock that could potentially disrupt normal shipping activity at Port Metro Vancouver (PMV) and other ports on the B.C. coast. Bill Lewis, the mediator, entered resumed negotiations on March 31 between senior officials of the B.C. Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU). The BCMEA represents 62 ship and terminal owners. PMV President and CEO Robin Silvester has expressed concern that the threat of work stoppage is retraining growth potential at Canada's largest port. "No container or bulk ships have been diverted thus far, but shippers are diverting some cargo to U.S. Pa cific Northwest ports," Greg Vurdela, BCMEA's VP Marketing, told Maritime Magazine. He indicated that "the union is pushing for more money without giving much in return, It is looking for wage increases of 3% per year for 3-4 years. This would be a very rich contract - considerably beyond recent other labour agreements negotiated in British Columbia." The employers, Mr. Vurdela said, are looking for greater workforce flexibility, cost containment and productivity in exchange for moderate wage gains. The existing contract expired a year ago. The current average wage and benefit package for B.C. longshore workers amounts to $150,000. A strike vote held by the ILWU last January garnered 95% support. The Canada Labour Code prohibits a strike or lockout during a federal election campaign. In the past, the federal government has also intervened with back-to-work legislation when port work stoppages last more than a few days and hurt Canada's international trade. But officials fear that just the long friction is costing business. Industry Events Calendar: April 15 April 18-19 April 28 April 29-30 May 5-6 May 8-10 May 10 VTC NSR Pub Night Moose s Down Under- Vancouver, BC Western Conference on Safety Hyatt Regency, Vancouver, BC National Day of Mourning Westac Annual Meeting Regina Inn Hotel, SK Maritech-Marine Exhibition & Conference Victoria, BC International Pulp Week and Conference Plimsoll Golf Tournament Swan-e-set Golf Course, Pitt Meadows 2
Canada Farmers Slam Bulker Buys April 6, Fairplay Daily News GRAIN farmers in western Canada have told Fairplay that they are unhappy with the purchase of two bulkers by the Canadian Wheat Board. The board bought the ships from Algoma Central for a total C$65M ($67.6M) in the first purchase of vessels by the central selling agency. The two ships, capable of carrying 30,000 tonnes of grain each, will be managed by Canada's Seaway Marine Transport as part of a vessel pool operating on the Great Lakes. The board said the purchase was necessary to replace ageing vessels and prepare for tougher emission and ballast standards being imposed by government. But Kevin Bender, president of the Canadian Wheat Growers Association, told Fairplay that many farmers are upset about the purchase, because the board did not consult with them before making the investment with farmers money. My argument would be that if the wheat board was a voluntary option for selling grain the ships wouldn t be an issue at all, he said. Those who disagreed with it could take their business elsewhere. To me that s the big issue. Disney Cruises favouring Seattle over Vancouver Thursday, 07 April 2011 09:56 -BIV Walt Disney Co. s Disney Cruise Line division is moving most of its Alaska-bound cruises from Vancouver to Seattle next year. The entertainment conglomerate (NYSE:DIS) plans to sail 20 times to Alaska from Vancouver in 2011, which is its inaugural season. But it s not clear if Vancouver will have any Disney sailings in 2012, given that the company did not mention Vancouver in a release detailing its 2012 cruises. However, rumours are that Vancouver could keep at least two cruise sailings. The Disney release said that, starting May 28, 2012, the Disney Wonder will offer seven-night cruises from the Port of Seattle to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, as well as Victoria. No one from Disney was available for comment, but Disney Cruise Line president Karl Hotz said in the release: In 2012, we re making it easier than ever for families to enjoy a Disney Cruise Line vacation by offering cruises from a variety of regional homeports. Guests can now enjoy a magical, one-of-a-kind Disney cruise experience with the convenience of departures from their own backyard. Tourism officials in Vancouver estimate that each Disney cruise is worth about $2 million to the Vancouver economy. Business in Vancouver has reported that fares for the Disney cruises that will stop in Vancouver in 2011 start at US$939 per person for a standard inside stateroom based on double occupancy. 3
Dispatch Shortage Statistics: For the Period Sunday April 3, 2011 to Saturday April 9, 2011 Jobs cut prior to dispatch (unable to fill) Jobs filled thru employee extensions employee double shifting local 502 employees transferring employees Jobs left unfilled after dispatch JOB BULK OPERATOR 3 1 2 6 BULLDOZER 3 3 BULLDOZER(SHIP) 1 1 CHECKER (DOCK) 2 2 DOCK GANTRY 5 5 ELECTRICIAN 1 1 F.E.L. 3 3 F.E.L. (SHIP) 1 1 FILLIN 1 1 H.D. MECHANIC 1 9 10 HATCH TENDER 1 1 HEAD CHKR 1 1 2 KOMATSU OP 1 1 LOCIE ENGINEER 2 2 MEN 1 1 MILLWRIGHT 2 2 PUSHER 1 1 RUBBER TIRE GTY 1 1 SPARES 3 3 SWITCHMAN 1 4 5 TRACKMAN 2 1 2 5 WHEAT SPECIALTY 5 5 TOTAL 2 1 7 34 18 62 Explains how shortages were handled by Dispatch TOTAL hall employees, 3434, 98.23% transferring employees, 34, 0.97% Jobs left unfilled after dispatch, 18, 0.51% Other, 62, 1.77% Jobs cut prior to dispatch (unable to fill), 2, 0.06% Jobs filled thru employee extensions, 1, 0.03% employee double shifting, 7, 0.20% 4
Vancouver Casual Employee % Dispatched per Dispatch Board 90% 80% 70% Last 7 Days Last 30 Days Last 365 Days 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% A B C T OO Future BCMEA Meeting Dates: Finance & Audit Committee Thursday, April 14 2011 9:00am - 11:00am Direct Employers Committee Wednesday, May 18 2011 9:30am - 11:00am Board of Directors Meeting Tuesday, May 24 2011 9:30am - 12:00pm Direct Employers Committee Wednesday, June 8 2011 9:30am - 11:00am Your Feedback: Have something for the BCMEA Bulletin? Send your comments or contributions to the Bulletin s Editor at editor@bcmea.com or (604) 694-2324. 500, Vancouver, British Columbia V6A 1A4 Telephone: (604) 688-1155 Fax: (604) 684-2397 Web: www.bcmea.com 5