Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon has expressed concern over the lack of urgency in resolving port disputes in British Columbia and Montreal. Both negotiations are progressing slowly, with a lockout in British Columbia and a strike in Montreal causing disruptions. Canadian retailers are becoming increasingly frustrated with the situation, as the holiday season approaches and empty shelves are a possibility. The Retail Council of Canada describes the situation as a “triple-threat” of labour disruptions, including uncertainty at Canada Post, the lockout at B.C. ports, and the strike in Montreal.
The lockout at container port facilities in British Columbia by the BC Maritime Employers Association has been met with silence from employers and the union representing about 700 foremen. There are no talks scheduled with mediators or the union, leading to speculation that the employers are playing hardball. The lack of intervention beyond mediation by the federal government is due to the protection of the right to strike in the Canadian Constitution. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 has provided no updates on the situation, and pickets remain at terminal sites across B.C.
The dispute in British Columbia has been ongoing since last year when the previous agreement between employers and the union expired. The issues at hand include the impact of port automation on unionized workers. This current disruption follows a strike last year that froze B.C. ports for 13 days. The Port of Vancouver, the largest in Canada, has also experienced other disruptions, including with railways in August and grain terminal workers in September. Vancouver Fraser Port Authority president and CEO Peter Xotta was set to address the situation at an event at the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.
In Montreal, the strike involves up to 320 workers and has paralyzed 40% of the port’s container-handling capacity. The union, connected to the Canadian Union of Public Employees, has indicated a willingness to call off the strike if a deal can be reached on scheduling issues. The lack of movement in negotiations in both British Columbia and Montreal is causing concern for retailers who rely on timely deliveries. The Retail Council of Canada emphasizes the importance of every delivery during the holiday season and warns of potential delays due to supply chain disruptions caused by the port disputes. The federal government is closely monitoring the situation and encouraging the parties to reach agreements quickly to avoid further disruptions.
