Canadian Government moves to resolve port stoppages
The Canadian Federal Government is stepping in to end work stoppages at ports in British Columbia and Quebec. On November 12, Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon announced he had instructed the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to order all operations and functions at the ports of British Columbia, Montreal, and Quebec to resume and engage parties for final and binding arbitration.
“The work stoppages at the ports of British Columbia and the Port of Montreal are significantly impacting our supply chains, thousands of Canadian jobs, our economy, and our reputation as a reliable trading partner,” he stated on X . “Therefore, I have invoked my authorities under the Canada Labour Code to secure industrial peace and to protect the interest of all Canadians.”
At last count, the work stoppages at the ports of Vancouver and Montreal were costing the country over $1.3B (US$932M) in value every day, and impacting a wide range of industries, HVACR included. The Canadian Government’s intervention comes after federal mediators determined that talks to end the ports’ labour disputes were at a standstill.
"As the economic losses threaten the country and begin to mount, it is up to the government to ensure that ... we can get on with the economic life of this country and avoid layoffs and other carnage," Minister MacKinnon told the press, adding, "Canadians have a limited tolerance right now for economic self-harm."
Port stoppages and partial closing have been ongoing since early November. They were initiated by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Ship & Dock Foremen Local 514 on the west coast and the Longshoremen’s Union CUPE Local 375 in Quebec, which locked out 1,200 longshore workers at the Port of Montreal on Sunday, November 10 after negotiations with employers fell through. All unions involved in the work stoppages have declared they will be fighting the Government's intervention. “We will fight this order in the courts. We will fight the arbitrated forced contract in the courts,” said Frank Morena, president of Local 514.
Minister Steven MacKinnon’s directive is already having an impact. On November 13, the BC Maritime Employers Association’s board agreed to resume operations at the Province’s container terminals while talks continue. Further related hearings are expected to take place over the coming days.
For more, read Labour minister sends ports dispute to binding arbitration, orders end to lockouts (CBC) or Canada moves to end labour disputes at ports, cites economic damage (Reuters).
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