Greater Vancouver Board of Trade demands action on ongoing port labor disputes
- The lockout at B.C. ports began on November 4, 2024, affecting trade on the West Coast.
- Reports from 1995 and 2010 warned that labor disputes would continue to disrupt trade.
- The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade calls for a federal commission to create lasting solutions.
On November 4, 2024, a lockout affecting approximately 730 ship and dock forepersons was initiated at British Columbia ports amidst conflicts between employers and the International Longshore & Warehouse Union Canada. These labor disputes have a long history, with temporary disruptions in trade occurring for decades. The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade is advocating for a new federal commission to find long-term solutions to these disputes, referencing two government-commissioned reports from 1995 and 2010 that predicted ongoing strife. Local union leaders expressed concerns over issues like semi-automation that exacerbate tensions. The ongoing situation raises urgent questions about the stability of Canada's international trade network.