The union representing employees of the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal (RIPET) operated by AltaGas, is seeking for fair and respectful conditions.
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 523 began strike action on Thursday, Nov. 27, after months of failed negotiations between the union and AltaGas. The union says they are seeking several things including a fair wage equal to similar positions. The union is also seeking better work hours as they say they have been forced to work overtime.
Safety concerns have also been raised, with the union alleging AltaGas is attempting to remove the existing minimum safe manning plan. The plan limits the number of propane transfers a crew can conduct, depending on staffing levels. Under the current agreement, a five-person crew can carry out five transfers in a day. The union said the company wants to reduce the crew size to three while maintaining the same transfer volume.
“The union is striking to improve work conditions,” said RIPET employee Ronald MacVeigh.
“The workers are looking to establish a more respectful workplace. The company tends to disregard them as human beings and wants us to work 24/7 so that they can make as much profit as they can. We want to have a better work-life balance, and the company has no interest in that. They see the profits that they can make, and they just want to expand upon those profits,” said MacVeigh.
“Everybody in the area and similar industries are getting paid considerably more than what we are getting paid. So we’re not asking to have a huge increase. We just want to be paid what everybody else is getting paid. So we could feel that the company values our contribution.”
In a statement to Vista Radio, AltaGas said they believe their most recent offer was fair.
“We have presented fair and well-considered proposals to encourage constructive dialogue. Our proposals have offered fair compensation, balanced distribution of work for RIPET staff, and alignment with AltaGas’ business needs. we require a reliable workforce to maintain safe and consistent operations. While we currently cover all planned time off, unplanned employee absences have proven difficult to manage and have impacted productivity at times. Minimum manning is a helpful tool that balances production and workforce levels. Our recent offer included fair compensation, a proposal to operate our crews above our minimum manning levels, as well as the addition of employees to reduce overtime and provide more flexibility in our operations.”
AltaGas also said they will continue to engage in meaningful conversations to find common ground.
“We are disappointed that we have not been able to reach an agreement with the union through negotiations over the last several months, but we are open to engaging with our union partner to find a fair solution that works for everyone.”
