Vancouver BC, May 29, 2019 – The Chamber of Shipping’s members are extremely disappointed by the deterioration of negotiations between the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union – Canada (ILWU Canada). The lockout notice issued yesterday by the BCMEA was necessitated by escalating job action taken by the ILWU Canada this week at Deltaport and Vanterm. The inability to reach a negotiated settlement and continued disruption would have a severe impact on Canadian businesses and the Canadian economy.
“Businesses rely on a predictable, efficient and productive supply chain to move products globally. A disruption in labour would only result in harm to the reputation of the Port and the Canadian supply chain,” stated the Chamber’s President, Robert Lewis-Manning. “We implore the parties to return to the negotiating table and for the Government of Canada to do everything in its power to act in the long-term interests of Canada.”
The Port of Vancouver is Canada’s busiest port serving major Canadian industries, including manufacturing, mining, energy, tourism, agriculture, and construction. This labour disruption has already resulted in the diversion of cargo, eroding the confidence in Canada’s key gateway to Asia. Additional uncertainty resulting from this situation could result in a long-lasting loss of market share for Canadian businesses and Canada’s busiest Port.
