Operations have restarted at ports on Canada's West Coast and in Montreal after the country's Ministry of Labour imposed binding arbitration on employers and unions to end the strikes that have been ongoing since early this month.
Canada's Labour Minister, Steven MacKinnon, instructed the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to resolve the labour disruptions at the ports in British Columbia and Montreal on November 12 as he announced he would invoke powers under Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to impose binding arbitration and extended the terms of the existing collective agreements until new agreements were reached.
"Collective bargaining negotiations between the parties in the ports of British Columbia, Montreal, and Quebec are all at an impasse. The responsibility for these negotiations belongs to the parties alone, but the impacts are being borne by all Canadians," the Minister of Labour said in a statement. "We simply cannot afford this uncertainty and instability at the moment."
MacKinnon noted that work stoppages at Canada's biggest ports impact $1.3 billion Canadian dollars (US$930 million) worth of goods every day and are affecting supply chains, the economy, and Canada's reputation as a reliable trading partner.
"There is a limit to the economic self-destruction that Canadians are prepared to accept," he said. "In the face of economic self-destruction, there is an obligation to intervene. As minister of labour, that responsibility falls to me."
The BC Maritime Employer Association (BCMEA), which represents employers on the West Coast, said, "BCMEA intends to follow direction received from the CIRB and will inform member employers of operational updates as soon as possible."
Resumption was delayed as employers awaited direction from CIRB under section 107 of the Canada Labour Code. Meanwhile, the unions have expressed intentions to challenge the intervention in court, asserting that it violates workers' rights.
Port operation resumes November 14
On the morning of November 13, the BCMEA said the CIRB issued an order directing the BCMEA and all its members to "resume operations on November 14, 2024, and to continue operations and duties until the Board makes a final determination."
"The BCMEA will fully comply with the interim order from the CIRB. As such, effective Thursday, November 14, 2024, dispatching functions will commence on the day shift," it said.
"Maintenance and operations may begin on the 16:30 shift and are subject to individual terminal operating realities," it added.
With the resumption of work, coupled with an anticipated high volume of vessels and cargo, there will be extensive province-wide labour requirements across all port areas.
Port workers were locked out of terminals at Vancouver and Prince Rupert ports on November 4 after the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Ship & Dock Foreman Local 514 issued a strike notice. Their employers responded then with a lockout notice.
On November 9, longshoremen at the Montreal port were also locked out following the union's rejection of their latest contract offer.
The Montreal Authority (MPA) said that following the work resumption, more than 5,000 TEU are on the ground, 22 vessels are on their way or waiting at anchor and some 2,750 TEU of rail cargo need to be handled.
"It may take a few weeks to re-establish the fluidity of the supply chain and process all goods currently at the port of Montreal or in transit and due to arrive in the next few days," it said.
Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA) said the 10-day strike had also significantly disrupted operations at the port.
"As a result, several commercial vessels are currently waiting offshore to enter the port of Vancouver and proceed to berth," it said, adding that it is implementing a priority-based anchorage allocation system to balance the needs of all business sectors and commodities.
"Terminals and cargo sectors will resume operations in line with their individual operating plans. A full resumption of operations and fluidity at the Port of Vancouver is expected to take time," it said.