Manufacturers, forwarders call for resolution to West Coast labour dispute

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) and the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA) are urging the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU), the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA), and the federal government to come to an immediate resolution and avoid any strike action at British Columbia Ports.

More than 99 percent of members of the 7,200 BC longshore workers in the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) voted in favour of a strike earlier this month. They can now walk out with 72 hours’ notice.

The union’s old contract with the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA), which represents 49 ports, expired at the end of March, 2023. The ports include Vancouver, Prince Rupert and numerous smaller entities.

According to BCMEA, talks are continuing with the help of mediators. “The BCMEA remains committed to bargaining in good faith and seeking a fair and balanced deal that recognizes the expertise of the waterfront workforce, while ensuring West Coast ports remain competitive, resilient and affordable for all Canadians.”

Dennis Darby, president and CEO of CME, raised the alarm in a statement. “Manufacturers are some of the largest users of port services,” he said. “Ports are essential to our industry’s ability to receive inputs and to get their products to market. Disruptions like these threaten our businesses, do damage to Canada’s global reputation as a trusted trade partner, further disrupt fragile supply chains, and cost jobs. That is why the federal government must do all that it can to avoid this strike, and to develop legislative solutions to prevent future disruptions to Canada’s fragile transportation network.”

Just the Port of Vancouver alone is Canada’s largest (roughly the size of the next five largest ports in Canada combined) and one of the top 30 ports worldwide by tonnage of cargo handled, enabling annual trade of more than $275 billion in goods with more than 170 trading economies and generating more than 115,000 supply-chain-related jobs. BC Ports are major supporters of Canada’s trade, which is key to Canada’s economic development by connecting Canada to global trade markets.

CIFFA echoed CME’s concerns in a letter to Seamus O’Regan, federal labour minister. “…it’s hard to imagine a more disruptive event to Canada’s economy at this time than a work stoppage in our ports which will delay imports and exports at significant costs to consumers,” said the letter that was signed by CIFFA executive director Bruce Rodgers.

“We urge you and your government to take every appropriate action to forestall a stoppage of service in the West Coast ports, and to be ready to act should a stoppage occur,” Rodgers concluded.