The labor dispute holding up hundreds of millions of dollars of goods a day at British Columbia ports is escalating, with the foremen’s union accusing their employer of “threats, intimidation, coercion and interference.”

The allegations were submitted as part of an unfair labor practice complaint filed by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 against the BC Maritime Employers Association.

The union has been silent since a limited work action launched Monday resulted in a total lockout by the employer, but issued a public statement Thursday saying the BCMEA had sent a letter directly to the members warning of repercussions if a “final offer” presented last week was rejected.

“BCMEA threatened to remove the existing terms and conditions of our last collective agreement and communicated these threats directly to our members instead of following the rules of the Canada Labor Code to negotiate with the union,” said Frank Morena, President of Local 514, during the declaration.

“Once again, the BCMEA is doing everything it can to push the federal government to intervene instead of doing its job to negotiate a new contract – it is offensive and we expect our complaints to be upheld.”

CTV News contacted the employer for a response to the complaint Thursday afternoon, but did not receive an immediate response. This article will be updated if a response is received.

Some of the conditions the BCMEA threatened to remove included “retroactivity on wages,” “improved welfare and other benefits” and “a signing bonus to all Local 514 members of the ILWU,” the union said.

The labor dispute is disrupting the daily flow of some $800 million in goods, according to the Business Council of BC, which has called on the federal government to intervene.

In a social media post, federal Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon said he was “monitoring the dispute closely” and criticized the lack of progress so far, accusing both sides of a “worrying lack of urgency” to find a solution.

No negotiations are currently planned between the two parties.

In its latest statement, ILWU Local 514 maintained that BCMEA bears sole responsibility for the massive and ongoing disruption of port operations, describing its own escalation of pressure tactics as “the least disruptive” possible in its efforts. to push for a new deal, more than 18 months after the foremen’s last contract expired in March 2023.

“We tried to limit the pressure tactics to a single employer – DP World – who wants to maximize automation and eliminate jobs, but the BCMEA objected,” Morena said.

“We undertook limited pressure action – an overtime ban that would have allowed BC ports to continue operating – and the BCMEA responded with a full-scale lockout. »