The closure of facilities at ports in British Columbia, including the Port of Vancouver, Canada’s largest cargo port, which began on November 4th, is still ongoing two days later.
The BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA), which represents the company, is blocking the facility in response to a notice of strike action by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 514, which represents more than 700 site supervisors, which has announced that it will go on strike at 8 a.m. on November 4th.
According to reports, there is no timetable for the resumption of labour-management negotiations. If the facility closure continues, there is a possibility that goods will become scarce in the country, which could affect the upcoming Christmas sales season.
With cargo exports from Canada to overseas countries also halted, there are concerns from the business community that this could affect Canada’s credit rating.
The BCMEA’s final proposal offers a 19.2 percent pay increase over four years and other improvements, but the union is said to be demanding staffing levels be addressed by port automation.
The Port of Vancouver has already seen two strikes this year. Last year, dockworkers’ strike lasted 13 days and had a major impact on the Canadian economy.
So far, no plans have been announced for the federal government to intervene.