After rejecting a tentative deal with maritime employers, port workers in Canada have gone on strike once again. The cost of living, work jurisdiction, and the length of the contract as factors in their decision were cited as the concerns.
Canada’s President expressed dissatisfaction with the terms of the collective agreement, especially considering the uncertain times. As a result, the union port workers resumed the protest on Tuesday.
The strike has impacted operations at four container terminals in Vancouver, while cruise and grain vessels are still being serviced. Updates have yet to be immediately provided by the ports in Prince Rupert, Port Alberni, and Nanaimo.
This new strike follows initial agreement and recommendation of a tentative deal by the bargaining teams from both the union of port workers and the maritime employers association. However, the deal required member ratification.
The proposed deal included wage increases, provisions addressing union concerns, improvements in training and recruitment of trades workers, increased apprenticeships, benefits coverage for casual trades workers, and a tool allowance, as stated by the maritime employers association group.
The government ministers believed the deal to be fair and beneficial to unions and employers. They emphasized the need for the ports to operate.
Data from The Vancouver Board of Trade reveals that as of Thursday morning, the labor action has impacted over $9.6 billion worth of cargo. This assessment is based on an estimated daily trade loss of $800 million. The disruption in Canada’s supply chain has affected various modes of transportation, including trains and trucks, leading to the halt of product flow. Consumer goods imports and exports of raw materials are among the wide range of products affected by this situation.
