Cruise ships will be spared in event of B.C. port strike, employers say

A attainable strike by British Columbia port staff won’t disrupt cruise ships docked in Vancouver, Prince Rupert or Vancouver Island, employers say.

The BC Maritime Employers Association says it and the union representing cargo loaders have “confirmed” that cruise ships will proceed to be serviced if a strike begins Saturday morning.

The affiliation says in a press release the exemption was a results of the federal “mediation and conciliation service process.”

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada issued a 72-hour strike discover on Wednesday and is scheduled to go on strike at 8 a.m. Saturday until a deal is reached or progress is made in negotiations.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s schedule exhibits three cruise ships docked, Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas, Seabourn’s Odyssey and Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth.

The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority additionally exhibits three cruise ships in port, The Royal Princess, The Norwegian Bliss and Holland America’s Eurodam.

The strike discover, issued Wednesday impacts about 7,400 terminal cargo loaders and 49 of the province’s waterfront employers at greater than 30 B.C. ports.

The union says that contracting out, port automation and value of residing are key points within the dispute.

Federal ministers and British Columbia Premier David Eby have urged each side to discover a approach to avert job motion, with Eby saying Wednesday he was “profoundly worried” a few strike’s potential influence.

This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed June 30, 2023.