Seaspan enters arbitration with union members manning B.C. port operations

VANCOUVER – The company that provides ship docking services at B.C. ports and the union representing Vancouver-area longshoremen have agreed to enter into binding arbitration, averting the threat of a strike.

Seaspan and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union have agreed that the federal government will appoint an arbitrator who will work out a settlement.

Earlier this month, Seaspan and the union representing its tugboat captains and engineers in B.C. also reached a similar agreement.

Federal Labour Minister Kellie Leitch flew to Vancouver to broker deals with Seaspan and both unions.

Strikes from both unions would have crippled operations at Port Metro Vancouver and other B.C. ports.