Latest News

Vancouver port could fire foremen but grain won't be affected

Port of Vancouver foremen are to be locked out Monday if they do not abandon a strike proposal, said employers on Friday. Grain handling will remain unaffected.

The west coast of Canada is a major exporter of Canada's resources, such as potash, coal and forestry products. It also exports pork and beef. Last year, a 13-day strike at Vancouver and Port Rupert disrupted over C$6 billion of trade.

The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association stated that the lockout of over 700 foremen would be preventative, as the International Longshore and Warehouse Union unit representing them had issued a 72 hour strike notice.

The association stated in a press release that if the union withdraws its strike notice then the lockout on Monday will not take place.

Both sides have been in long-term negotiations over a union deal, and they've done so with the assistance of a federal mediator. The strike would also impact the port of Prince Rupert.

In a press release, it stated that "in anticipation of an escalating strike action and unpredictable strikes", the BCMEA had decided to take defensive measures in the form a coast-wide lockout.

The long-hauling operations of grain vessels and cruise operations will be unaffected.

The lockout notice was issued by the association to "facilitate an orderly and safe winding down of operations", in anticipation of a possible strike.

Canadian Press reported that ILWU Local 514 President Frank Morena stated in a press release that the union had planned only "limited job actions" like refusing overtime or accepting certain technological changes.

The impasse is the result of a long-simmering dispute about pay and working conditions. Both sides have expressed concerns over automation.

On Thursday, the Canadian Union of Public Employees began a strike in the Port of Montreal. The workers there are represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees. Termont operates two terminals that handle 40% of container traffic but only 15% of cargo.

In August, the Federal Government imposed binding arbitration to end a labour dispute between Canada's major railways. This affected grain and other exports on the West Coast.

The government has refused to intervene in collective bargaining for other disputes other than mediation. (Reporting and editing by David Ljunggren, Alexander Smith, and Ed White)

(source: Reuters)