Breaking Network Alert: Impending ILWU Canada Strike

Hard Deck Logistics has learned, although the earlier notice opportunity to strike was not enacted by the ILWU Canada, that on Wednesday 6/28, the ILWU Canada announced that they plan to strike starting July 1^st in British Columbia. This would primarily impact the most well-known Ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert. The ILWU Canada claims that the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) is demanding major concessions to which the ILWU Canada does not agree. Upwards of 15% of global trade that is destined for British Columbia is routed to final destinations in the USA. This is quite a popular through port for rail intermodal/Mini-Land Bridge (MLB) rail cargo. 

  

The strike action will not impact employees who service grain vessels per Canadian labor code. In anticipation of a possible disruption, the BCMEA had prepared an operational contingency plan. 

  

The parties are engaged in mediating bargaining discussions tomorrow and beyond, so we hope that the outcome can be positive. 

  

We will continue to follow this developing story.