MONTREAL – Business groups urged the federal government to intervene to void a lengthy labour dispute at the St. Lawrence Seaway amid concerns that a strike that began early Sunday could have a profound affect on their members.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business said strike-related delays could result in lost sales and revenue at a time when small businesses are already dealing with other challenges like inflation and labour shortages. The federation says small businesses were seriously affected by the July strike in B.C., in which thousands of provincial port workers walked off the job over 13 days. The job action froze billions in cargo at one of the country’s busiest ports.Calls for federal intervention in the seaway strike also came from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. It notes the seaway supports 66,000 jobs and is responsible for $34 million in economic activity daily, so any stoppage will hurt the economy.
Last year, some $16.7 billion worth of cargo – nearly half of it grain and iron ore – traversed the St. Lawrence Seaway, a system of locks, canals and channels that stretches more than 300 kilometres. Unifor said it was unable to reach an agreement with the employer by the strike deadline despite negotiations. The employees range from engineers to administrators split between five locals.On Sunday, both sides accused the other of withdrawing from the negotiating table.
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