The Halifax Employers Association (HEA) was founded in 1996 as a successor organization to the Maritime Employers Association (MEA). The Canada Labour Relations Board appointed the HEA as the designated bargaining representative for all the employers of labour engaged in work in the Longshoring Industry in the Port of Halifax. This designation is under Section 34, Part I of the Canada Labour Code.The MEA was formed for the purpose of negotiating efficient labour agreements on behalf of its members and to develop and maintain positive employer/employee work relations. The HEA was founded for the same purpose with the goal of making the Port of Halifax more competitive in a world of competing routes. While labour relations remains the main focus of the HEA, the Association, on behalf of its members, also oversees and coordinates the training of employees in the Longshore industry in the Port of Halifax. The HEA also provides a broad spectrum of general human resources support and service ranging from hiring and performance management to Human Rights and Employment Equity more... See more text