A strike by British Columbia port workers that began over the weekend is now entering its fourth day.
B.C. port workers who are members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) walked off the job on July 1 (Canada Day).
Their employer, the B.C. Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA), said bargaining attempts with a federal mediator had failed, resulting in the labour disruption.
The ILWU and the BCMEA, which represents about 50 waterfront companies and terminal operators in the west coast province, have been negotiating since February of this year.
The two sides are trying to renew a collective agreement that expired on March 31.
Approximately 30 seaports across British Columbia are impacted by the current strike, including Vancouver, Canada’s busiest port.
The Port of Vancouver is the largest port in Canada and the fourth largest in North America by tonnes of cargo handled. About $300 billion of goods passes through the port annually.
The ILWU issued a statement on July 3 saying that negotiations with management have stalled.
Many businesses are now scrambling to find other ways to get their goods to their destination. Alternatives include shipping goods to ports in the neigbouring U.S. and then shipping them by train and truck across North America.
Other ports in B.C. that are impacted by the strike include Prince Rupert, which is Canada's third biggest seaport.
It remains unclear whether the federal government in Ottawa will intervene in the labour dispute at B.C.’s ports.
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