Possible delays in the delivery of cars from Halifax
Members of Unifor at the Halifax port have rejected a tentative work agreement reached last month by the union negotiating team and management, reigniting the possibility of a strike at the East Coast vehicle import center.
The union did not share the results of the vote, but stated that the tentative agreement with Autoport Eastern Passage, a subsidiary of Canadian National Railway Company, was “overwhelmingly rejected” by the members.
Both parties began the negotiation process at the end of September and reached the tentative agreement on January 25 after discussions with a conciliator two days earlier.
The union negotiation team did not disclose the terms of the agreement, but stated at the time that the agreement “reflects the hard work and dedication of our workforce”. As with all such work agreements, the tentative agreement had to be approved by the rank-and-file members.
However, with the majority of the approximately 200 Unifor members working at the marine automobile terminal rejecting the contract, the union and management negotiating teams will be forced to reassess their positions.
“As we move forward, it is essential that we remain united and prepared for all eventualities, including the possibility of a strike or facing a lockout,” said Unifor’s Local 100 negotiating team on February 8.
Autoport processes approximately 185,000 vehicles per year, with European imports making up a significant portion of this total. It is part of the Halifax port, although located in the suburb of Eastern Passage at the southeast end of the Halifax port.
Like the port strikes on the west coast of Canada last summer, labor action at Autoport would likely disrupt vehicle imports into Canada.
The union and the employer will have until the end of February to decide on their next steps.
A conciliation report filed on February 12 initiated a two-week cooling-off period, placing Unifor members in a legal strike position as of 12:01 a.m. on February 27.
A 48-hour notice is also required if workers choose to set up picket lines, or if the employer plans to initiate a lockout.
“This period will be used to strengthen our strategies and ensure that our collective voice is heard, strong, and clear,” said the union negotiating team to its members.
CN did not specify the next steps, but in a statement, it said that it “remains committed to working with the union to reach an agreement.”
With information from Automotive News Canada
The text Possible delays in car deliveries from Halifax comes from The Automotive Annual – Automotive News
