For immediate release

October 15, 2015

Port Saint John applauds 7-year port labour agreement

SAINT JOHN (NB) – Port Saint John applauds the Port of Saint John Employers Association (PSJEA) and International Longshoremen’s Association Local 273 (ILA 273) for recently ratifying an agreement which will ensure labour stability at Port Saint John for 7 years.

The agreement went into effect on October 4, 2015 and is retroactive to January 1, 2015.

Port of Saint John Employers Association Vice President & General Manager, Donald Scott stated “The Port of Saint John Employers Association is pleased to have concluded negotiations with I.L.A. Local 273 resulting in a new 7-year Collective Labour Agreement.  The term of the agreement sends a positive message of continued labour stability to port users and to the City of Saint John.  Along with monetary increases, this new contract provides for increased training opportunities for our current employees as well as a mechanism to grow the number of unionized positions within the Port of Saint John.  This agreement also further strengthens the future infrastructure enhancements as proposed by Port Saint John.”

ILA Local 273 Negotiating Committee Chairperson, Pat Riley stated, “We all had the upgrade project in mind when we negotiated the seven-year term.  The $205 million investment is key to our Port and our city’s economic future.”

 “We are extremely pleased that the PSJEA and ILA 273 have come together to provide labour stability at this critical period of business growth and particularly in light of recent support for our plans to modernize West Side container and intermodal cargo handling facilities,” said Jim Quinn, President & CEO, Port Saint John.

Port Saint John is Eastern Canada’s largest port by tonnage and has a diverse cargo base, including dry and liquid bulk, break bulk, containers, and cruise.
 

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Donald Scott, Vice President & General Manager, Port of Saint John Employers Association, 506-646-1673

Patrick T. Riley, Business Agent & Secretary, International Longshoremen’s Association Local 273, 506-635-8610

Paula Copeland, corporate communications, Port Saint John, 506-650-5288 (cell), pcopeland@sjport.com