[ad_1]
Workers at Vancouver Port are preparing to strike on Tuesday morning. Approximately 650 workers may go on strike at 7 a.m. on September 24, following a 72-hour strike notice submitted to the Vancouver Terminal Elevators Association (VTEA) on Saturday morning. While loading grain is considered essential under Section 87.7 of the Canada Labor Code, this provision does not apply to terminal workers, according to the Saskatchewan Agricultural Producers Association (APAS). Furthermore, the Canadian Grain Producers emphasize the critical role of these terminals in the agricultural supply chain, noting that Vancouver Port terminal elevators handled nearly half of the grain produced in Canada last year. They also pointed out that the upcoming work stoppage could halt the daily flow of over 100,000 tons of grain to the terminal, potentially leading to an Export loss of $35 million per day, according to data from the Canadian Grain Commission. Cargill, Richardson International, Viterra, and G3 are among the VTEA members conducting grain operations at Vancouver Port. A message sent to VTEA members via Facebook indicated that the union decided to issue a strike notice due to the association’s perceived lack of effort to reach an agreement last week. APAS President Ian Boxall stated, “This is another blow for farmers.” APAS is urging federal Labor Minister Steve MacKinnon to assess the request for a member vote on VTEA’s current contract proposal as a step to resolve the impasse and prevent further damage to Saskatchewan’s agricultural sector and Canada’s reputation as a reliable grain supplier. Last August, a labor dispute had temporarily halted Canada’s two major railways before the federal government issued a mandatory mediation order to resolve the disagreement. Port workers in British Columbia also went on strike for approximately two weeks last summer. Located on the southwest coast of British Columbia, Vancouver Port stretches from Roberts Bank to Burrard Inlet via the Fraser River. The port connects Canada to approximately 140 to 170 countries annually and facilitates around $300 billion worth of goods trade each year. Other potential labor disruptions are also being considered, as the union representing British Columbia port workers has threatened to strike, although no 72-hour strike or lockout notice has been issued yet. Around 25,000 workers on the U.S. East Coast and Gulf ports have threatened to strike if a new contract agreement is not reached by October 1.

[ad_2]
Source: Tarım Haberleri