The Canadian Pacific (TSX:CP) (CP) rail strike is harming Port Metro Vancouver (PMV)’s already-troubled reputation for labour certainty and hurting the Canadian economy, according to the port.
The port has issued a statement calling for swift resolution to the strike, which started Wednesday.
In the statement, PMV CEO Robin Silvester said that the strike is already having “significant economic and long-term reputational effects on the Gateway.”
He urged the rail company and its union to “work tirelessly towards a successful agreement.”
Eric Waltz is president of TSI Terminal Systems Inc., Vancouver’s largest container terminal operator
“We are very concerned about the impact that this strike has on our customers and on our reputation as an efficient and reliable gateway,” Waltz said. “Canadian Pacific is a critical component of the supply chain that TSI serves and we are hopeful that both parties will come to an agreement as quickly as possible in the best interest of the Canadian economy and everyone concerned.”
Early last year, stalled labour negotiations between the BC Maritime Employers Association and five locals of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada caused some port customers to divert cargos to other ports.
Peter Xotta, vice-president of planning and operations at PMV, said the strike will quickly impact jobs and the economy.
“Movement of major export commodities out of Canada’s largest port will become severely hampered in coming days due to the work stoppage,” said Xotta.
“Deprived of CP’s rail services, the port’s major sulphur, coal, potash and grain terminals are losing volume, with deep ramifications on jobs across Canada.”
