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Labor Tensions Escalate at Canadian Ports on East and West Coasts | #ShipcoViewpoint

Canadian ports face potential disruptions as labor tensions rise on the East and West coasts. Port employer B.C. Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) in British Columbia received a 72-hour strike notice from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 514, representing approximately 700 foremen.

In response, the BCMEA has issued a lockout notice that will shut down ports coastwide in British Columbia. “ILWU Local 514’s strike action will have repercussions across B.C.’s waterfront operations, and strike activity can easily escalate, including a complete withdrawal of labor without notice. Accordingly, to facilitate a safe and orderly wind-down of operations, the BCMEA has issued formal notice of its intention to defensively lock out all ILWU Local 514 members on Monday, November 4 at or around 08:00 am PT,” the BCMEA said in a statement on Friday, 31 October.

Meanwhile, longshore workers at the Port of Montreal have already launched an unlimited strike at two terminals operated by Tremont, impacting around 40% of container traffic, which accounts for about 15% of the port’s overall volumes. The Maritime Employers Association (MEA) said that due to the disruptions, cargo volumes have decreased by -24% since 2022.

Source: splash247.com, BC Maritime Employers Association

Should the BCMEA proceed with a coastwide lockout, all cargo operations of BCMEA Member companies across the British Columbia province will cease to operate. Effectively, a coastwide lockout will affect all British Columbia ports which include Deltaport, Fraser Surrey Docks, Centerm, Vanterm, and Prince Rupert Port terminals.