There finally appears to be a resolution to the 13-day B.C. port strike which had left Canadian manufacturers worried about yet another hit to their supply chains.
Close to 7,500 dock workers have been on strike since July 1. The strike action has snarled shipments in and out of about 30 ports in B.C., including the Port of Vancouver, Canada’s largest port and caused manufacturing groups such as Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters to call for the federal government to step in.
CBC is now reporting that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada and the B.C. Maritime Employers Association have agreed to a tentative four-year deal.
Two days ago Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan was in Vancouver with federal mediators working to bring the two parties back together and told media he thought a deal was “within reach”.
Today, according to a statement from the union, the two sides were able to come to agreement with just 10 minutes left before the 10:30 a.m. PT deadline for reviewing the settlement terms provided by the federal mediator.
The agreement still needs to be ratified however by both sides.
“The BCMEA recognizes and regrets the significant impact this labour disruption has had on the economy, businesses, workers, customers and, ultimately, all Canadians,” a statement from the port employers association said. “We must collectively work together to not only restore cargo operations as quickly and safely as possible but to also rebuild the reputation of Canada’s largest gateway and ensure supply chain stability and resilience for the future.”
