Ports in British Columbia could potentially be paralyzed again starting next week as a lockout looms in the dispute between employers and the union representing more than 700 foremen.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce said Friday the lockout coincides with an expanded job action at the Port of Montreal, bringing more uncertainty to Canada’s supply chain.
“It’s tremendously concerning to us, particularly because of the drumbeat of disruption that we’ve seen throughout the Canadian supply chain and the transport sector over the last 12 to 18 months,” said Matthew Holmes, executive vice-president at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
The BC Maritime Employers Association said Friday in a statement that it will “defensively” lock out members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 starting Monday at 8 a.m., shutting down all cargo operations provincewide but leaving cruise ships and operations for grain vessels unaffected….