URGENT RCC Member Advisory: Vancouver Port Strike Update

Despite the hopeful recent signals when the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) returned to the bargaining table earlier this month, it appears that the Port of Vancouver’s container terminals (GCT Vanterm and Delta Port) will be struck on Monday, May 27 at 7:00 a.m.  This will be the first work stoppage since the IWLU membership voted to authorize strike action two weeks ago.

With Port of Vancouver accounting for over half of Canada’s container traffic and BC ports accounting for two-thirds, this issue will be at the forefront of RCC’s advocacy efforts until the dispute is settled. RCC is in regular contact with the Offices of Canada’s Ministers of Labour and Transport, pressing our industry’s concerns about the potential disruption and cost to business and ultimately, to Canadian consumers.  We are also arranging to do some media in Vancouver this weekend to underscore our concerns.

Please feel free to contact Karl Littler, RCC’s Senior Vice President, Public Affairs with any comments or questions at klittler@retailcouncil.org or by telephone at (416) 906-0040.

See also:

• RCC in the News: Mom-and-pop stores will be hit hardest by looming strike at Port of Vancouver