Bcmea.com provides resources for the Maritime Employers Association
Title
BCMEA | Home [1]
Description
The BCMEA represents companies involved in waterfront operations on the Canadian West Coast. It provides labour relations, training and other related services to member companies.
Additional Information
The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (the "Association") is an unaccredited employers association currently consisting of sixty-eight (68) member companies. The primary purpose of the Association is to provide sound labour relations advice to waterfront employers in British Columbia. The Association staff, on behalf of the Association's membership, interact daily with representatives of various Union Locals and the Canadian Area office of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (the "Union"). The Association handles day-to-day labour relations matters such as Collective Agreement administration, discipline, grievances and arbitration hearings. Additionally, the Association is responsible for Collective Agreement negotiations on behalf of its members. The Association also participates in the establishment and maintenance of various Industry Benefit Plans. These include two Health and Welfare plans, two Pension plans and an Industry Employee Assistance Program. The Association works with the Waterfront Employers of B.C. in providing payroll services and the compilation and distribution of statistical information for the industry.
Ensuring that a sufficient and qualified work force is available to meet the needs of the membership is also an Association responsibility. Accordingly, the Association operates the Vancouver Despatch Centre and jointly participates in the operation of the Despatch Centres in the outports of Stewart, Prince Rupert, New Westminster and Chemainus. The Association also operates a central pool despatch for members of the Local 514 Ship and Dock Foremen. This active participation by the Association is intended to ensure that a skilled work force is despatched to perform the many and varied requirements of the Industry.
The Association is responsible for the training and retraining of the longshore workforce. In this regard, the Association employs trainers as well as professional writers and illustrators, who are engaged in the development and delivery of training.
The Association is also involved in the promotion of accident prevention, safety education and WCB claims management.
The Association represents employer interests with respect to regulatory matters in the areas of labour relations, pensions, legislative reform, Canada Labour Code reform, health and safety, human rights and employment equity. Additionally, the Association actively participates in Transportation Associations such as the Federal Employers Transportation and Communications (FETCO), the Western Marine Community (WMC), and the Greater Vancouver Gateway Council (GVGC).
FETCO is a national organization comprised of federally regulated employers in the transportation and communications industries and is often the principal employers organization with whom government consults on labour reform. WMC is a regional organization which was established to promote the marine interests of all users and beneficiaries of marine services provided on the West Coast of Canada by the Canadian Coast Guard. GVGC is comprised of service providers who are committed to improving the competitiveness of the Greater Vancouver Gateway.
In an effort to foster and improve the reputation of B.C. Ports, the Association is actively involved in the development and promotion of trade and port facilities regionally, nationally and internationally.
