The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 (ILWU 514) has confirmed that an industry-wide strike vote is underway after its last strike notice, issued only to DP World Canada, was deemed by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) as not bargaining in good faith.

Local 514 had previously issued a 72-hour strike notice against the employer in July but before the strike could take affect, the CIRB determined the union had not bargained in good faith and directed them to take back its original notice.

The union leadership, which represents 730 foremen in BC, has also signaled their intentions to seek a judicial review of the CIRB decision that determined the union can’t bargain with DP World alone, saying it doesn’t believe the board is correctly interpreting the law. A spokesperson for Local 514 stated that the union has “no interest in an industry-wide dispute as a result of just one employer that won’t bargain” on an issue critical to its members.

The main issue between ILWU 514 and DP World Canada centres on compensation for increased automation at DP’s container terminals.