BC Maritime Employers Association

The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) is the multi-employer waterfront organization, representing approximately 49 ship owners and agents, stevedores, container, bulk, and breakbulk terminal operators on Canada's west coast, extending from Victoria north to the Alaska border.

A key objective of the BCMEA is to meet the needs of its membership. The BCMEA is dedicated to understanding and being responsive to the shared needs of its members and to the unique circumstances, each BCMEA member may have. With this commitment to customer service, the BCMEA provides information, expertise, and systems that improve the operational effectiveness of BCMEA members.

At its core, the BCMEA is a service provider of labour relations for the waterfront employers in British Columbia, representing employer interests on regulatory issues in the areas of labour relations, pensions, legislative reform, Canada Labour Code, health and safety, advocacy, human rights and employment equity.

In addition to labour relations activities, the BCMEA oversees the training and recruitment of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Canadian Area and the daily dispatch of labour for the Vancouver local of the Union.