Vancouver's 20-day old port trucking strike will continue after truckers rejected a government proposal on March 16.
"Truckers understand the impact of the work stoppage, and we're eager to find a speedy resolution," said Paul Johal, president of Unifor-Vancouver Container Truckers' Association (VCTA), in a statement. "Container truck drivers deserve more than minimum wage for waiting time."
Port Metro Vancouver, meanwhile, threatened March 16 to suspend or terminate the licenses of truckers who continue to strike.
"Truckers have Port Metro Vancouver issued permits that allow them, through trucking companies, to provide service to terminals at the port," said Robin Silvester, president and CEO of Port Metro Vancouver. "A continued refusal by some truckers to provide such service is likely to result in suspension or termination of their permits by Port Metro Vancouver."
Two groups of container truckers are on strike: the non-unionized United Truckers Association since February 26 and the Vancouver Container Truckers' Association since March 8. Both groups say low pay and long waiting times top their concerns.
On March 14, the provincial and federal governments presented a 14-point plan to the truckers that offered a review of wage rates, extended terminal hours, a strengthened audit process to ensure drivers are getting paid the proper rate and a review of the truck licensing system.
But the VCTA says the proposal does not address "basic concerns about minimum rates for all drivers."
The 14-point proposal is based on interim recommendations from labour mediator Vince Ready. Ready was appointed by Lisa Raitt, the federal transport minister, to review the trucking rate and licensing system. Ready will deliver his final report on May 30.
Ready mediated an agreement that ended the last port trucking strike in 2005. That agreement set minimum wage rates, but the truckers say those rates have declined because of under-cutting.
The shutdown has had a severe effect on British Columbia businesses that rely on imports or exports. Some forestry companies have already had to lay off workers, and may have to temporarily shut down their mills starting this week.
Global Container Terminals, which operates Vancouver's Vanterm terminal as Terminal Systems Inc., announced March 14 it would issue force majeure - a clause in a contract that removes liability for unavoidable catastrophes - to its shipping line customers. The measure applies to import cargo for local delivery. The company said that measure would be in force by today if the truckers remained on strike.
@jenstden
