Close X
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. ports shuttered as lockout takes hold in latest labour dispute

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 05 Nov, 2024 11:53 AM
  • B.C. ports shuttered as lockout takes hold in latest labour dispute

One of Canada's most vital trade arteries is cut off as employers at most of British Columbia's ports lock out their workers in a dispute involving about 700 unionized foremen. 

The BC Maritime Employers Association says it defensively locked out members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 after the union began strike activity yesterday.

However, union president Frank Morena says the employers grossly overreacted to the union's original plan for an overtime ban, adding that its negotiators are ready to re-engage in talks at any time.

Canadian political and business leaders have expressed concern with another work stoppage at the ports, after job action from the big railways earlier this year and a 13-day strike in a separate labour dispute last year.

The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade says it is relaunching its Port Shutdown Calculator, a tool to illustrate the economic damage caused by the labour dispute and introduced during the job action last year. 

Board president Bridgitte Anderson says the latest port shutdown will disrupt $800 million worth of goods daily, with every hour of the closure fuelling inflation.

"This shutdown is the latest in a long line of highly damaging labour disputes that have hurt Canada’s economy and international reputation," Anderson says.

"Through the Port Shutdown Calculator, we want to demonstrate the profound and escalating impact of this labour dispute." 

The employers and the workers represented by Local 514 have been without a contract since March 2023.

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. election: NDP cuts margin in key riding to four votes as absentee count goes on

B.C. election: NDP cuts margin in key riding to four votes as absentee count goes on
An ongoing count of absentee ballots in British Columbia's election has seen the NDP cut the B.C. Conservatives' lead in a key riding to just four votes. If the NDP wins Surrey-Guildford and holds onto other leads, it will be elected or leading in 47 seats, which is the threshold for a majority in the legislature.

B.C. election: NDP cuts margin in key riding to four votes as absentee count goes on

Avian flu detected at a 5th farm

Avian flu detected at a 5th farm
Avian flu has been detected at a fifth farm in B-C this fall. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the latest outbreak has been detected in a commercial poultry flock in Abbotsford.

Avian flu detected at a 5th farm

RCMP seize 73 kilograms of cocaine during traffic stop east of Sicamous

RCMP seize 73 kilograms of cocaine during traffic stop east of Sicamous
Police say officers arrested the 28-year-old man from Surrey who was driving the vehicle, and he's since been released with conditions and a scheduled court date. A statement from police says the traffic stop on Oct. 8 involved a roadblock on the Trans Canada Highway near Malakwa, east of Sicamous. 

RCMP seize 73 kilograms of cocaine during traffic stop east of Sicamous

Stabbing outside a Vancouver coffee shop

Stabbing outside a Vancouver coffee shop
Vancouver police are investigating a stabbing outside a coffee shop in the Downtown Eastside. Police say they were called around 11:30 Sunday morning and found a 56-year-old man who was taken to hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Stabbing outside a Vancouver coffee shop

Pedestrian dies in Surrey crash

Pedestrian dies in Surrey crash
One person has died following a crash between a vehicle and a pedestrian in Surrey. Police say they were called Sunday after and despite lifesaving efforts, one person died.

Pedestrian dies in Surrey crash

North Vancouver declares state of local emergency, 3 homes evacuated after heavy rain

North Vancouver declares state of local emergency, 3 homes evacuated after heavy rain
The District of North Vancouver has declared a state of local emergency and ordered three homes evacuated in the Deep Cove neighbourhood over concerns debris left behind from last weekend's atmospheric river could pose a safety risk. A statement late Saturday from the district says that during the heavy rain, debris filled the channels of Ostler and Panorama Creeks "limiting their capacity to withstand future heavy rainfall events."

North Vancouver declares state of local emergency, 3 homes evacuated after heavy rain