Port Strike Notice Puts Economy at Risk Again

For Immediate Release



VANCOUVER, B.C — The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade President and CEO Bridgitte Anderson, has issued the following statement:

“We are dismayed by the decision of the ILWU 514 leadership to issue a 72-hour strike notice to all BCMEA member companies. We are extremely concerned that this strike could cascade quickly to shutting down the entire west coast port system.

This strike notice clearly puts at risk $800 million a day in trade that flows through west coast ports. If another strike occurs it will again mean higher prices for Canadians at a time when the economy is struggling.

To be clear, the best deals for workers, families, and businesses are those made at the bargaining table. The actions of ILWU 514 leadership over the past two years of bargaining have been concerning. Consistently, the Canada Industrial Relations Board has found that the Local 514 leadership has bargained in bad faith on multiple occasions.¹

As Canada’s largest gateway, west coast ports are critical for Canada’s economy. Supply chain instability in recent years has been a major hurdle for Canadian businesses, which was only just beginning to improve prior to the start of this labour disruption. The ongoing disruptions not only jeopardize Canada’s international reputation as a reliable trade partner but also threaten long-lasting damage for years to come.

We are calling for immediate action by the federal government to intervene and for the ILWU 514 leadership to bargain in good faith.”