Port operations on Canada's West Coast could face another round of disruptions as dockworkers' unions and employers remain in a standoff over a labour dispute.
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Ship & Dock Foreman Local 514 recently filed a 72-hour advance notice of a strike ahead of the expiration of a strike authorization granted by members over the summer.
The employers responded with a lockout notice due to start Monday, November 4, which could halt port operations at Canada's busiest port.
The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) said in a statement it had received a 72-hour notice of a strike from the ILWU 514, representing about 730 longshore foremen throughout the province and they are prepared to lock out longshore foremen.
The BCMEA said instead of "meaningfully considering" the industry's final offer, ILWU Local 514's leadership issued an industry-wide strike notice to commence on Monday, November 4, at or about 08:00 am PT, as it described the strike notice as "untenable" for West Coast port operators and their partners.
It noted that once a union commences strike action, the Canada Labour Code does not restrict the union from subsequently changing the nature of its strike. A strike may start as an overtime ban and be escalated — in minutes, hours or days — to full-scale strike action without notice, where all workers walk off the job — potentially creating tremendous uncertainty and significant operational and safety challenges for operators.
"Accordingly, to facilitate safe and orderly wind-down operations, the BCMEA had the difficult choice to issue a formal notice of its intention to lock out ILWU Local 514," the employers said.
BCMEA noted that it had issued a formal notice of its intention to lock out all ILWU Local 514 members defensively on Monday, November 4, at or around 09:00 a.m. PT.
"Should it be required, this coastwide lockout will shut down all cargo operations of BCMEA Member companies across the province," it added.
The two sides have been in talks for nearly two years to negotiate a new collective agreement that expired in March 2023 but has failed to reach a new deal.
The BCMEA said it made its final offer on Wednesday, which it said provides a "fair and reasonable monetary package without seeking any concessions from the union."
The BCMEA noted that its members believe this final offer best serves the 730 forepersons and their families while ensuring the resilience of West Coast ports.
Businesses are urging federal government intervention to prevent the second closure of some of Canada's busiest ports in two years.
The strike actions will affect Canada's busiest port, Vancouver, and the country's third busiest port, Prince Rupert. Meanwhile, Canada's second-busiest port, Montreal, also faces its own labour challenges.
The strike is estimated to impact US$500 million in daily trade.