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Companies at Canada's Port of Vancouver to lock out employees as due date passes

The BC Maritime Employers Association stated it would lock out workers on Monday at Canada's Port of Vancouver after a negotiating deadline passed, possibly interfering with exports of coal, potash and beef.

The association, which includes private-sector waterside companies, said it would lock out foremen and other members of International Longshore and Storage Facility Union Local 514 at the country's largest port beginning at 4:30 Pacific time (0030 GMT).

A 13-day strike in 2015 interrupted more than C$ 6 billion ($ 4.32 billion) in trade at the British Columbia ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert.

The companies association said recently the potential lockout of more than 700 supervisors was preventative as the system representing them had issued a strike notice for Monday.

The two sides were in drawn-out talks over a labor deal and have been working out with the aid of a federal conciliator. The blockage would likewise affect the Port of Prince Rupert, British Columbia.

The Employers Association stated over the weekend it had provided its final deal.

Union local president Frank Morena stated on Sunday the employers had actually threatened to get rid of existing parts of their collective contract, and the union would not sign any contract without protecting crucial elements of the last deal, according to the Globe and Mail newspaper.

The situation has actually alarmed export-reliant Canadian industries and regions. The provincial federal government of resource-rich and landlocked Saskatchewan on Friday prompted the federal government to try to solve the conflict.

While bulk-grain deliveries are excluded from the interruption, according to Canada's labor code, exports of coal, potash, forestry items and products delivered in containers such as pulse crops and meats could be affected.

The B.C. ports dispute is happening at the very same time as a. strike at the Port of Montreal, which affects about 40% of its. container circulation and 15% of total port freight.

(source: Reuters)