B.C. port strike Day 10: Talks resume as economic cost from stoppage rises | 24CA News

A port strike in British Columbia that’s estimated to be costing the Canadian financial system not less than $500 million a day entered its tenth day Monday with no indicators of ending quickly.

Roughly 7,400 members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU) employed at greater than 30 ports within the province have been on strike since Canada Day.

Talks between the union and the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) resumed on Saturday after breaking down earlier within the week. Ottawa and provincial governments had urged either side to restart talks.

2:22BC port strike enters second week

Canadians throughout the nation may see the value of products push greater the longer the strike goes on, consultants have stated. The work stoppage is disrupting $500 million in items each day, trade group Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters estimates.

Here is what we all know to date.

In early June, 99.24 per cent of the ILWU membership voted in favour of a strike after their final contract expired on March 30.

The ILWU didn’t present a 72-hour strike discover on June 21, the earliest attainable date for such an motion, as an alternative issuing it on June 28 alongside an announcement that accused the employers’ affiliation of demanding “major concessions” from the union regardless of “record profits during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Not solely are employees looking for greater wages, however the union additionally stated it was looking for to guard members from the “erosion” of labor stemming from outdoors contract employees and port automation.

BCMEA represents 49 private-sector employers working in B.C. ports, and its web site says the trade contributes $2.7 billion to Canada’s GDP whereas dealing with roughly 16 per cent of the nation’s complete traded items, amounting to $180 billion in 2020.

Talks between the 2 sides broke down two days into the strike over upkeep points, leading to calls from trade teams and governments for either side to hunt a decision shortly.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated on July 7 that Ottawa will proceed placing strain on either side to finish the strike. Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan has urged the 2 sides to make use of mediators and resume talks.

0:59B.C. port employees holding union rally at Jack Poole Plaza

Several organizations in Saskatchewan have known as on the federal authorities to assist resolve the strike; Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe stated in a July 7 tweet that “the federal government needs to be exploring all options to end this costly and economically damaging strike.”

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith stated in an announcement July 8 that her province – which she stated shipped $12.4 billion of Alberta’s merchandise exports by ports in Vancouver and Prince Rupert in 2021 – helps an instantaneous recall of Parliament to think about laws to finish the strike.

Members of the provincial political occasion BC United in addition to the Council of Forest Industries and different teams are additionally demanding federal laws to finish the strike.

The strike is snarling visitors on the Port of Vancouver — Canada’s busiest port — in addition to roughly 30 marine gateways throughout B.C.

The seamless loading and unloading of cargo ships in B.C. is crucial to the sleek functioning of Canada’s financial system, and an prolonged disruption is for certain to affect customers, in response to consultants who beforehand spoke to Global News.

B.C. ports deal with an estimated 25 per cent of all imports and exports in Canada value an estimated $350 billion final 12 months alone, stated Fraser Johnson, professor of operations administration on the Ivey School of Business in London, Ont.

5:29As B.C.’s port strike enters day 6 trade teams name for federal intervention

Johnson stated many retailers are presently stocking up for his or her fall inventories, and a protracted strike may see delays in when these merchandise hit the cabinets.

Other shipments which have but to reach might be diverted to different ports within the U.S. or the Port of Montreal or Halifax, he stated for example.

But adapting transport routes comes with prices which have knock-on results by Canada’s provide chain, he stated, that are prone to be handed on to customers in some kind or one other.

Pedro Antunes, chief economist on the Conference Board of Canada, informed Global News a chronic strike of every week or extra may begin to have a tangible affect on inflation, simply as worth pressures are displaying indicators of easing.

Both sides sat down for talks on Saturday, BCMEA stated.

It stated it tabled a revised proposal, and proposed a committee and impartial arbitrator to make suggestions associated to key sticking factors round upkeep work.

In its newest assertion, BCMEA stated an arbitrator may make non-binding suggestions to assist events take into account whether or not union members may carry out some or the entire upkeep work in query.

3:15BC port strike: Workers’ union hoped to have ‘better announcement,’ but to return to settlement

It stated additionally their facet additionally proposed elevated advantages for informal tradespeople and extra apprenticeships, however the union rejected the concepts.

The union didn’t instantly launch its place on the assembly, however has beforehand accused employers of ready for the federal authorities to do their “dirty work” as an alternative of negotiating.

BCMEA has accused the union of making an attempt to “aggressively expand” its management of upkeep duties past what has been established for many years.

It’s unclear when the 2 sides will discuss subsequent.

BCMEA has stated it’s awaiting additional course from federal mediators.

— with information from Global News’ Craig Lord and The Canadian Press

&copy 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.