For inquiries regarding collective agreement negotiations, please visit the BCMEA's Current Negotiations website section -- posted April 5, 2007

Collectively, the Vancouver Port Authority, terminal operators, labour unions, railways, trucking and numerous associations work together to build the necessary linkages to make Vancouver a competitive, efficient port that serves the North American economy, offering proven expertise, innovative solutions and a commitment to quality service.

BC Maritime Employers Association
The BCMEA is an employer's association consisting of approximately 71 members with operations located throughout British Columbia. Generally, the membership consists of ship owners, stevedores, general wharf operators and bulk terminal operators.

The Association provides, for its members, labour relations services, negotiation and administration of the Collective Agreement, maintenance and administration of benefit plans for employees employed under the Collective Agreement, research and liaison with regulatory agencies, promotion of health and safety in waterfront operations, and education and training activities.

Marine Services Labour
The Port of Vancouver offers a productive, highly trained workforce that offers all necessary skills to the international maritime industry.

The workforce consists of several unions and locals that are represented by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU).

The ILWU Canadian Area represents all Canadian ILWU locals and bargains collectively with BCMEA on behalf of the Longshore local 500 (Vancouver) and Longshore local 502 (New Westminster), as well as many other locals outside the Vancouver area. Together with the ILWU, the BCMEA maintains a comprehensive training program encompassing 25 separate training programs, including two sophisticated crane simulators.

Local 400, ILWU
Represents workers in the towboat industry and bargains with individual companies, the largest being The Council of Marine Carriers.

Local 500, ILWU
Represents longshore members and casuals on the Vancouver waterfront and Squamish, BC.

Local 502, ILWU
Represents longshore members and casuals working through New Westminster and Fraser Surrey Docks, Westshore Terminals and Deltaport.

Local 514, ILWU
Bargaining unit for the ILWU Foremen throughout the lower mainland and all of B.C. that bargains with the Waterfront Foremen Employers Association.

Local 517, ILWU
Vancouver Port Authority staff and cruise facility security staff.

Local 518, ILWU
Bulk and bulk liquid cargo surveyors that bargain with individual surveying companies.

Local 520, ILWU
Dispatchers for the BC coast pilots that bargain with the Pacific Pilotage Authority.

Local 333, Grain Workers Union
Vancouver Grain Workers, who bargain with the BC Terminal Elevator Operators Association.