Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canadian Chamber of Commerce wants B.C. port strike averted, cites economic impact

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 29 Jun, 2023 09:56 AM
  • Canadian Chamber of Commerce wants B.C. port strike averted, cites economic impact

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce says it is "deeply disturbed" the British Columbia port workers' union has served strike notice and is prepared to walk out on Saturday.

The chamber has issued a statement urging the federal government to "use all the tools in its tool box" to prevent a strike.

It says the shutdown of Canadian ports would fuel inflation, increase costs for people and businesses and seriously damage the economy.

This comes after federal ministers and B.C. Premier David Eby publicly urged the province's port workers and employers to find a way to avert job action.

The strike notice, issued Wednesday by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada, affects about 7,400 terminal cargo loaders and 49 of the province's waterfront employers at more than 30 B.C. ports including Canada's busiest, Vancouver.

The union says that contracting out, port automation and cost of living are key issues in the dispute.

Negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada and the BC Maritime Employers Association started in February in an attempt to reach an agreement before their contract expired at the end of March.

Both sides had been in a cooling-off period but that ended on June 21. 

Union members voted 99.24 per cent in favour of strike action earlier this month. 

MORE National ARTICLES

Canada will continue to rely on foreign firefighters as wildfires increase: Trudeau

Canada will continue to rely on foreign firefighters as wildfires increase: Trudeau
Trudeau said extreme weather events are expected to become more frequent in the coming years due to climate change. When asked if Canada needs to augment its fleet water bombers that are used to fight fires, he said it's clear the country will need to increase resources at many levels.

Canada will continue to rely on foreign firefighters as wildfires increase: Trudeau

B.C. school district bans man who queried gender of girl, 9, at track meet

B.C. school district bans man who queried gender of girl, 9, at track meet
Kevin Kaardal, the superintendent of Central Okanagan Public Schools in Kelowna, B.C., says in a statement that staff at the regional track and field meet last week intervened and eventually moved the girl's event across the field.

B.C. school district bans man who queried gender of girl, 9, at track meet

Speeding car flees a traffic stop

Speeding car flees a traffic stop
West Shore R-C-M-P say on June 10, officers in Metchosin near Victoria stopped two cars, including one travelling at almost double the speed limit. The over-speeding car initially pulled over but then fled from the scene, striking an officer in the leg and resulting in minor injuries from which the officer is expected to recover.

Speeding car flees a traffic stop

Ban on open fires

Ban on open fires
The Surrey Fire Service says incidents of reported brush and grass fires have trended higher in recent years, with last year seeing more than 525 incidents between May and November.

Ban on open fires

3 arrested for catalytic converter theft: Delta Police

3 arrested for catalytic converter theft: Delta Police
Delta Police say they have arrested three suspects who stole multiple catalytic converters from vehicles in the city. Police say officers made the arrest on June 8 after observing the suspects stealing a catalytic converter.

3 arrested for catalytic converter theft: Delta Police

Two youth arrested in Skytrain stabbing

Two youth arrested in Skytrain stabbing
New Westminster Police and Metro Vancouver Transit Police say two youth, ages 16 and 17, have been charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and robbery.

Two youth arrested in Skytrain stabbing