Terms of new contract that resolved British Columbia port dispute are released
Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Aug, 2023 09:42 AM
The four-year agreement that brought an end to labour uncertainty on B.C.'s busy portlands includes pay raises, retirement bonuses and a maintenance work deal.
The terms of the new contract are being shared by the Canada Industrial Relations Board, highlighting how the two sides finally got to together following months-long dispute, which included a disruptive 13-day strike.
The workers and businesses that depend on our ports deserve long-term solutions. They deserve answers.
One of the sticking points that was finally resolved was a commitment by employers to train workers to perform maintenance on new equipment -- instead of contracting third parties.
Vandals caused more than $300,000 damage to the PNE on September 18, after the last-minute cancellation of a headline act at the Breakout Festival. Dozens of concert-goers destroyed food kiosks, overturned tables, climbed light fixtures, and sparked fights throughout the PNE grounds and surrounding neighbourhoods.
According to the report, PM Justin Trudeau's government introduced the permit extension move to over 5,00,000 international students already in Canada to potentially work more hours, and stay for 18 months after graduation to seek employment. However, after more than a year, some of these permanent-resident hopefuls have been left without status to work or remain in the country.
The Bank of Canada hiked its key interest rate by half a percentage point on Wednesday and signalled interest rates would have to rise further to clamp down on decades-high inflation. Canada’s annual inflation rate was 6.9 per cent in September but has been steadily declining since reaching its highest rate this year of 8.1 per cent in June.
Canadian industries are facing a significant labour shortage, with about 1 million job vacancies across the country. The new plan puts an emphasis on increasing the number immigrants who will be admitted based on their work skills or experience over the next three years.
The society says it's putting the parade on hiatus again "with a great deal of regret", after the event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of pandemic precautions. The event traditionally features performances from bands and dance troupes, as well as an appearance by Santa and his helpers.
The storm prompted high streamflow advisories for waterways across Vancouver Island and the central and south coasts, but the River Forecast Centre expected levels to peak by late Monday, while another powerful rainstorm could arrive by the end of the week.