VANCOUVER — British Columbia's businesses leaders are urging port employers and more than 700 unionized workers to resolve their dispute immediately as a lockdown paralyzes shipping along Canada's west coast.
Dozens of workers wearing signs and waving blue union flags have set up a tarp shelter with folding chairs at the entrance of Neptune Terminals in North Vancouver, B.C., cheering as passing vehicles honked in support. "The BC Chamber of Commerce supports the right to collective bargaining," Famulak said in a statement."However, the inability of the ILWU and BCMEA to negotiate a new agreement and avoid another work stoppage at Canada’s largest port is disappointing.
The dispute is over issues including port automation being introduced by port terminal operator DP World and what it would mean for unionized worker staffing levels. The employers, meanwhile, said they had to lock out workers because a strike notice allows the union to escalate job action without notice.
Union president Frank Morena has said the union's negotiators are ready to re-engage in talks at any time.