No talks scheduled in standoff between employers, union in B.C. port dispute

BritishColumbiaportemployerssay they may be "required to reassess" their position on a current offer to more than 700 unionized workers as alockoutshuts down most shipping on the West Coast.

TheB.C. MaritimeEmployersAssociation says there has beennoengagement with International Longshore and WarehouseUnionLocal 514 or federal mediators since it locked out workers Monday in response to strike activity by theunion.

A statement from the association says the current offer made last week was their "final" offer, and it remains on the table, but that position could change "as the shutdown continues."

The association has said the offer is open until withdrawn, and it is unclear if what theemployersare considering is a withdrawal of the offer or changes to the terms of the proposed contract.

Theunionsays there have beennodevelopments in the dispute overnight, as container cargo traffic at ports acrossB.C. fromVancouvertoPrinceRupertandNanaimoare shut down in the latest labour strife at Canada's ports.

Employerssay the final offer includes a 19.2 per cent wage increase over a four-year term along with other improvements, while workers say the deal does not address what future staffing levels will look like with the advent ofportautomation.