Labor disputes escalate at Canadian ports, bringing widespread delays for shippers

Posted on November 5, 2024   |  

Labor disputes have intensified at Canada’s ports, causing significant disruptions for shippers after weekend negotiations failed.

On the west coast, the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) locked out ILWU Local 514 workers, heightening tensions at the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert.

This dispute impacts terminals using Local 514 labor, although operations at the Westshore coal terminal and grain and cruise activities continue for now.

9 container ships are expected later this week; MSC Lanya departed Vancouver before the lockout, while Cosco Aukland and Maersk’s San Felipe remain docked and are set to leave soon.

The BCMEA criticized the union for making unreasonable demands and presented a final offer that included a 19.2% wage increase, better benefits, and a signing bonus, contingent on union approval.

The BCMEA indicated that if the union rejects the current offer, future proposals would remove the signing bonus and modify wage terms based on inflation.

On the east coast, CUPE Local 375's strike at Montreal’s Termont terminals, responsible for 40% of container traffic, has led to major disruptions since last Thursday.

The Montreal Maritime Employers Association halted salary guarantees for longshore workers, blaming the union's overtime ban since October for redirecting cargo to other ports.