Labour Disruptions Impacting Retail Supply Chains: Update

Here’s what’s happening with critical port and postal negotiations impacting Canadian retail. RCC is on the ground advocating for action. Here’s what you need to know:

West Coast Port Shutdown

As of 8:00 a.m. Monday, November 4, 2024 West Coast port container terminal operations have ground to a halt. The B.C. Maritime Employers Association announced the shutdown on November 1, 2024 after the International Longshore Workers Union Local 514 issued a 72-hour strike notice. While grain shipments and cruise ship activities remain unaffected, container terminal operations are completely frozen. Stay updated on negotiation progress here.

Port of Montreal Indefinite Partial Shutdown

Job action at the Port of Montreal has shut down the Viau (section 52) and Maisonneuve (section 68) Termont terminals, which handle the bulk of container traffic. This disruption, which began on October 31, 2024, is having a serious impact on retail supply chains. If your goods are affected, contact Termont operations directly. Find more details here.

Looming Canada Post Strike

The Canada Post and Canadian Union of Postal Workers’ (CUPW) mandatory 21-day cooling-off period ended on November 2, 2024, meaning either party could initiate a labour dispute with just 72 hours’ notice. Talks are still ongoing, and services remain unaffected for now. Keep an eye on updates here.

RCC Action & How to Support

RCC is actively engaging with port officials and government stakeholders in both Vancouver and Montreal to highlight the severe impact these disruptions are having on retail supply chains. We are calling for immediate government intervention and bolstering our advocacy efforts by collaborating with a wide coalition of business groups. Read more about our coalition’s actions here.

Your input is essential to drive our efforts forward. Please share how your business is affected by contacting Matt Poirer, VP Federal Government Relations, at mpoirier@retailcouncil.org, Apraham Niziblian, Director, Public Affairs and Government Relations (Quebec), at aniziblian@cccd-rcc.org, or Greg Wilson, Director, Government Relations (B.C.), at gwilson@retailcouncil.org.