The continuing strike of dockworkers in British Columbia (BC) raises concerns about the impact on the Canadian economy. About 7,400 people went on strike on July 1.
Labor negotiations have stalled between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) over wages, undertakings, and automation.
On July 6th, ILWU members demonstrated and called on the BCMEA to return to the mediation table. In British Columbia, about 30 ports have been affected by the strike. The Port of Vancouver, which boasts the largest volume of cargo handled in Canada, is one of them.
As a gateway between Canada and the Asia-Pacific region, the port handles 142 million tons of cargo annually. The association’s terminals handled 16% of Canada’s traded goods in 2020, accounting for $2.7 billion in GDP, according to BCMEA.
The business community concerned that if the strike continues for too long, it will have a major impact not only on the economy of BC but on the whole of Canada and has asked the Canadian government to intervene. It is best for both parties to resolve the matter through negotiation,” he said, reluctant to intervene.