Tugboat crews in B.C. vote unanimously to strike against Seaspan: union

VANCOUVER – The union representing tugboat crews who work at Seaspan’s B.C. operations has voted unanimously to strike over 46 proposed changes to its members collective agreement.

Members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union assist tankers and other vessels docking and leaving ports and help firefighters when necessary.

Local 400 president Terry Engler says a strike would cripple operations at Port Metro Vancouver and other B.C. ports.

He says the union will give 72-hours strike notice and walk off the job June 9 if Seaspan doesn’t back off its plans to impose the changes to the collective agreement.

In a separate dispute, Capt. Mike Armstrong of the western branch of the Canadian Merchant Service Guild says unionized captains and engineers will vote Wednesday on taking strike action against Seaspan.

Separate meetings were scheduled to take place on Tuesday between the union, the guild, federal Labour Minister Kellie Leitch and Seaspan.