Close X
Sunday, November 24, 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

Global Affairs Canada chartering more flights from Lebanon for Canadians this week

Global Affairs Canada chartering more flights from Lebanon for Canadians this week
Global Affairs Canada says it's chartering more flights from Lebanon this week to help Canadians leave the country as conflict escalates between Israel and Hezbollah. In a statement Monday evening, the department says it has almost 600 seats available on planes leaving Beirut on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Global Affairs Canada chartering more flights from Lebanon for Canadians this week

B.C. Conservative leader reveals plans to address toxic drug crisis ahead of debate

B.C. Conservative leader reveals plans to address toxic drug crisis ahead of debate
B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad has laid out his solutions for the toxic drug crisis in the province, which include cutting wait times for voluntary treatment, a virtual program to connect people with addiction specialists and building "regional recovery communities" that would allow for 12-month live-in treatment.

B.C. Conservative leader reveals plans to address toxic drug crisis ahead of debate

Leaders condemn 'hateful rhetoric' at B.C. pro-Palestinian protest on Oct. 7

Leaders condemn 'hateful rhetoric' at B.C. pro-Palestinian protest on Oct. 7
Political leaders are condemning what they describe as "hateful rhetoric" from a speaker at a pro-Palestinian rally in Vancouver who told the crowd that "we are Hezbollah and we are Hamas." Both groups are listed by Public Safety Canada as terrorist entities.

Leaders condemn 'hateful rhetoric' at B.C. pro-Palestinian protest on Oct. 7

Eby promises $75 million rural health loan forgiveness plan at Okanagan campaign stop

Eby promises $75 million rural health loan forgiveness plan at Okanagan campaign stop
NDP Leader David Eby is promising a $75-million loan forgiveness program to entice doctors, nurses and heath professionals to expand health-care services in rural British Columbia. Eby's provincial election campaign pledge comes as hospitals in rural B.C. face periods of emergency closures due primarily to staff shortages.

Eby promises $75 million rural health loan forgiveness plan at Okanagan campaign stop

Canadian Chamber of Commerce sends stark warning about U.S. trade relationship

Canadian Chamber of Commerce sends stark warning about U.S. trade relationship
Canadian officials and business groups have been meeting with Democratic and Republican counterparts across the U.S., making sure Canada is prepared for any outcome of the November election.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce sends stark warning about U.S. trade relationship

Leaders televised debate tonight

Leaders televised debate tonight
Leaders from the three main political parties in B-C are set to square off today in the only televised debate before election day. The three candidates also took part in a radio debate last week, which saw them joust over affordability, health care and the opioid crisis, while trying to undermine each other's credibility to form the next provincial government.

Leaders televised debate tonight