Media Advisory - Truckers to meet with Minister in last attempt to avert port disruption

VANCOUVER, Jan. 13, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor representatives will meet with Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone in a final push to resolve the ongoing dispute between container truck drivers and the BC government that threatens to close Port Metro Vancouver for the second time in less than a year.

"Truckers went back to work based on an agreement signed off by the Premier and federal Minister Lisa Raitt's office. If the government won't uphold that deal, than we are not obligated to follow it either," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias, who was a party to the signed agreement. "We are now demanding what the government promised less than a year ago."

WHAT: Port Metro Vancouver negotiations
WHERE: Port Metro Vancouver head office, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
WHEN: Thursday, January 15, 2 p.m.
WHO: Unifor National President Jerry Dias, Transportation Minister Todd Stone, Unifor BC Area Director Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor-Vancouver Container Truckers' Association President Paul Johal, other truck driver representatives.

"It's clear that the government doesn't believe there is a collective agreement in place," said Dias. "If the government re-confirms on Thursday that it will not adhere to the March 2014 settlement, then we will concur there is no collective agreement in place and we will finalize our plans to recommence strike action."

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 305,000 workers. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers unions merged.

SOURCE Unifor

please contact Unifor Communications Representative Ian Boyko at 778-903-6549 (cell) or [email protected]