New tentative deal reached in B.C. port strike, says union

A second tentative agreement has been reached in the B.C. port strike, two days after union leaders rejected a proposed settlement recommended by a federal mediator.

In a letter to members posted to its website Thursday evening, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union local 502 said the union’s bargaining committee has reached a tentative deal with the B.C. Maritime Employers Association.

It said the union’s contract caucus will hold an emergency vote on Friday to decide whether the agreement will be sent to members for ratification.

If the caucus votes in favour of sending the deal to members, the union will call a meeting to present the package to its membership.

This is the second deal reached between the union and its employer.