No movement in port impasse
Photo: The Canadian Press
VANCOUVER — Canadian retailers say their frustration is growing with the lack of movement to resolve disruptions at Canada’s two largest ports, including silence surrounding a lockout at B.C. ports that is into its fourth day.
Matt Poirier with the Retail Council of Canada said there “doesn’t seem to be any urgency” in resolving the disputes in B.C. and Quebec and it may result in empty shelves as the holiday season approaches.
Poirier describes the situation as a “triple-threat” of labour disruptions, referencing uncertainty at Canada Post, the ongoing lockout of unionized workers at B.C. ports including Vancouver, as well as a strike that has closed two container terminals indefinitely in Montreal.
Poirier said retailers could face a “staggering” impact on the holiday season “where every delivery counts,” with four days of port disruptions potentially equating to about a month in delays due to ripples in the supply chain.
In B.C., the lockout by the BC Maritime Employers Association at container port facilities across the province is being met with silence from all sides.
The employers said no talks have taken place or are scheduled with either mediators or the union representing about 700 foremen—a situation described as unusual by labour expert Mark Thompson, who is a retired University of British Columbia professor.
He said it appears the employers are “playing hardball” by making what they call a final offer to the union, but the federal government has been hesitant to intervene beyond mediation because the right to strike is protected in the Canadian constitution.
“I think we’re in a kind of dance out there,” Thompson said. “Somebody’s waiting for the other side to say chicken, and it hasn’t happened yet.”
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 has said there are no updates on the situation and picketers remain at terminal sites across B.C.
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