This morning, while delivering bundles of pipe to trucks, the Checker was fatally injured when the pile of pipe gave way and rolled on the worker. Emergency response by everyone was excellent. Worker was taken to Lion’s Gate Hospital and … Continue reading
Longshore Strike Paralyzes Shipping in Five B.C. Ports
This was the headline in the Vancouver Sun 50 years ago today. The story said that, “Picket lines formed at 6 p.m. Thursday [August 21, 1958] following a breakdown of final talks with the Shipping Federation of B.C. The strike … Continue reading
The Presidents Go To Jail
In 1965, the federal government adopted the Canada Labour Standards Code governing hours of work, vacations, statutory holidays and other conditions of employment relating to industries under federal jurisdiction. Of special interest to longshoremen was the provision granting eight paid … Continue reading
Grain Dust as an Occupational Disease Causing Asthma
Local 500’s WCB Consultant, Donna Huls, was successful at the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Tribunal (WCAT) on behalf of a longshoreman who has been off work since December 12, 2003 because he’d developed asthma from loading grain ships. From the WCAT … Continue reading
ILWU Local 500 Despatch History — Overview
ILWU Local 500, its Officers, Executive, and Membership are duty bound by the Declaration of Principles in its Constitution: “Equality amongst men and women the brotherhood and sisterhood of workers are birthrights of the highest order. We guarantee equality of … Continue reading
Amenity Buildings
Keep Amenity Buildings Clean & In Good Repair Amenity buildings (lunchrooms, washrooms, etc.) are for the use of all. Respect yourself and others: Keep them clean Don’t damage them Anyone caught maliciously causing damage or creating an undue mess will … Continue reading
No Smoking
The effects of smoking and second hand smoke have been proven to be hazardous to your health. The policy regarding non-smoking is clear: THERE IS TO BE NO SMOKING IN MACHINERY, PICKUPS, OFFICES, LUNCHROOMS, ETC. These regulations are put forward … Continue reading
Heads Up
There are to be NO loads passing over top of people or staffed machinery. Due to congestion in yards, at times roadways are compromised not leaving enough room to pass through with machinery. IF YOU CANNOT OPERATE SAFELY through congestion, … Continue reading
Stay Alert
Recently, at Lynnterm East Gate, some large diameter pipe was being loaded out onto trucks when the cross bracing at one end broke loose and FLEW approximately 40 FT. Upon closer examination, the welds holding the cross bracing were NOT … Continue reading
Don’t Tamper with Safety Information
Information posted in lunchrooms, maintenance shops, and first aid rooms (such as Canada Labour Code, MSDS sheets for products used and shipped, safety protocols, safety procedures, etc.) is posted by the employer for everyone’s benefit and also by Labour Code … Continue reading