Job Action
Victoria Shipyards – Potential Strike
November 8, 2024
To: All MoveUP members at Victoria Shipyards
Your union has been notified of potential strike action.
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), Local 400 has been in bargaining with Seaspan Oil/Barge for quite some time. The parties reached impasse and the ILWU 400 served strike notice to the employer. The ILWU 400 is in a legal strike position as of 6:00pm on Sunday, November 10, 2024.
If you encounter a picket line when arriving at work, do not cross. If you are working remotely and a picket line is up, please do not do any work. While picket lines are up, no members should be performing work, either remotely or in person.
With the recent changes to the Labour Relations Code, workers now have the right to respect any legal picket line, whether it’s Federal or Provincial. MoveUP members have the right to refuse to cross a legal picket line without fear of discipline and a picket line can only be ruled illegal by a Labour Relations Board ruling or by the courts, not by an employer.
It is a big decision for workers to go on strike and picket their employer. When we stand with members from other unions by refusing to cross their picket line we show solidarity with other workers and help them negotiate a fair contract. Many other unions’ struggles are linked to our own and we need to remember that one day we may need their support in our own disputes.
Contact the Union Office
If you arrive and encounter a picket line, please contact your job steward or call Union Representative Yudon Garie at 604-868-5501.
As we receive further information from the ILWU 400 we will provide further updates.
In solidarity,
Yudon Garie
Union Representative