The Canadian government is imposing binding arbitration to end work stoppages that have dragged on at ports in British Columbia and Montreal.
Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon announced Tuesday morning that he is directing the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order the resumption of all operations at the ports, and to assist in imposing final and binding arbitration.
“Negotiated agreements are the best way forward, but we must not allow other Canadians to suffer when certain parties do not fulfill their responsibility to reach an agreement,” said MacKinnon. “It is my duty and responsibility to act in the interests of businesses, workers, farmers, families and all Canadians.”
Existing collective agreements will remain in place until new deals are reached.
The disputes involve approximately 1,200 longshore workers at the Port of Montreal and 700 dock supervisors at ports in B.C., including the Port of Vancouver. The government intervention also affects workers at ports in Quebec City and Prince Rupert.
Farm and commodity groups have called on the government to swiftly end the simultaneous stoppages at the largest east and west coast ports, which have impacted the flow of $1.2 billion worth of goods per day, according to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
Movement of containers and many bulk goods, including pulse crops, meat, fruits and vegetables, canola oil, and fertilizer, has been paralyzed. The loading of bulk grain was not directly affected due to its essential designation under the Canada Labour Code.
“With simultaneous disruptions underway at our largest East Coast and West Coast ports, we are effectively advertising to the world that Canada is closed for business,” noted Chamber of Commerce senior director Pascal Chan, on Monday.
The minister also imposed binding arbitration under Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code when Canada’s rail system came to a halt in August with simultaneously work stoppages at both CN and CP Rail. The Teamsters union representing railway workers is challenging the government’s move to impose binding arbitration in the Federal Court of Appeal, arguing it infringes on their constitutional right to collectively bargain.
Related:
Fertilizer and pulse movement could grind to a halt in latest lockout and strike at B.C. ports
Grain logistics and labour woes need more than a bandage fix
