In a broad-based effort to improve the predictability of the Vancouver Dispatch, the Declaration of Availability System was developed in 2008. This system allowed ILWU Local 500 members to advise the BCMEA by telephone of their availability to work well before the start of dispatch. Measures could then be taken by ILWU officials and BCMEA staff to mitigate potential labour shortages. While endorsed by the Local 500 Executive Committee, this initiative was ultimately rejected by the membership.

In 2008, Information Services began collecting productivity data from the Container sector. This data was then processed and graphed to develop productivity benchmarks. Data will continue to be received in 2009 so areas of improvement can be addressed.

In 2008, new Transport Canada Security upgrades were implemented for Container and Cruise terminals. Electronic dispatch systems were upgraded to record which employees hold the new TSC clearance. With the ratification of the new longshore Collective Agreement, morning and afternoon dispatch start times were advanced by 15 minutes. This was done to finish dispatch on time and allow employees enough time to arrive on site before the start of shifts. Several management information systems reports have been created to supplement this initiative including Skill Utilization, Dispatch progress and Dispatch shortages reports. Final testing is currently underway for the enhanced Vancouver Dispatch disaster recovery process. This will limit down time to five minutes, at which time a fully functioning backup system will be up and running at the Vancouver Dispatch Hall.

During 2008, several infrastructure initiatives were implemented to enhance systems, security and disaster recovery. Blade Server technology was introduced, providing increased reliability, significant improvements to disaster recovery times and a more cost effective server replacement program.

New centralized network and application monitoring systems were also implemented. Together, they have allowed support staff to ensure dispatch systems perform at their highest efficiency. In 2008, dispatch terminal servers were also replaced with new hardware. Internal infrastructure and communications improvements will continue in 2009.

The simulator training room was relocated to the Richmond simulator site in 2008. The vacant space created at the Vancouver Dispatch Hall was then renovated to provide an expanded secure Data Centre. Information Services staff continued to play a significant role in the ongoing support of the training simulators.

The LAN Administration team assisted in the installation of computer systems at the Waterfront Training Centre, and successfully responded to over 220 user (internal and external) initiated help desk incidents in 2008.

The myBCMEA website, used by the ILWU membership, is in its fifth year of service. By the end of 2008, there were a total 1908 accounts created for the website; approximately 25% of those accounts are users from out-ports. The full suite of BCMEA websites serves over 760,000 pages each month.

Enhancements on the web-based Agent Vessel Forecast continued in 2008. Several user initiated system upgrades were implemented throughout the year and have resulted in fewer support requests by customer members. The Industry Training System (ITS) was added to the applications on the Employers website. The ITS system allows customer members to advertise upcoming site based training courses to other member companies, thereby minimizing training expenses. In addition, recording and sharing of information on which ILWU employees have been trained allows customer members to prevent duplicate training of individuals.

In 2008, a new reporting facility was developed for the Waterfront Occupational Health and Safety System (WOHSS) around the concept of 'User Defined Reporting'. This reporting facility allows users to export their own data sets to Excel for manipulation and refinement. Additionally, a direct link with WorkSafeBC was established for the electronic transference of claims forms and is in its final testing phase. This streamlines the process, replacing the old method of faxing forms to WSBC.

During 2008, legacy FoxPro training systems were re-engineered. The main training worksheet was re-developed into a more efficient web- based process. This new training worksheet also generates, authorizes and submits training payroll.

Continued enhancements to the web-based remote payroll entry (RPE) allowed customer members to enter vacation and balance of earnings payrolls as well as overpayments and shortages from prior weeks. This eliminates the need for paper timesheets. In 2008, two new customer members were added to the list of web-based RPE users: Coastal Containers and Cerescorp. Additionally, Pacific Coast Terminals is now the first company to utilize the Direct Report Payroll Entry (DRPE), allowing electronic payroll transmission through automated services.