The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) representing dock workers across the west coast of Canada on July 19 rescinded a call for strike action, just hours after the organization served the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) with a strike notice.

Members of ILWU Canada returned to picket lines and resumed striking July 18 after the union's leaders rejected a tentative four-year deal with port operators that was recommended by mediators. But the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) ruled that the strike was illegal because the union failed to issue a 72-hour strike notice. That decision received support from Federal Labor Minister Seamus O’Regan, who also called the renewed strike actions unlawful. 

“The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) — an independent body created to keep industrial peace — this morning ruled that the ILWU Canada cease and desist from participating in any strike action because the union did not provide 72 hours notice,” O’Regan wrote in a July 19 social media post. “This strike is illegal.”

The ILWU workers were ordered back to work.

ILWU Canada then announced July 19 that it would resume strike activities beginning 9am on July 22, 2023, "with the hope of returning to the bargaining table," said Rob Ashton, president of the union. However, ILWU Canada rescinded the call to action later that day. No reason was given.

On July 13, the BCMEA announced a tentative agreement had been reached between the BCMEA and ILWU Canada. But on July 18, the ILWU leadership rejected the deal. The ILWU argued that the proposed contract was too long and failed to address the cost of living issues that employees are currently facing.

In a statement released July 19, the BCMEA said that the actions by both sides show that the negotiations remain unpredictable. The BCMEA added that it will continue to communicate with major stakeholders as the situation develops.

The ILWU represents 7,500 dock workers, who began striking July 1 after the union failed to agree on a new contract with the BCMEA.