Port Metro Vancouver is claiming its threat to terminate the licenses of striking truckers is getting things moving at the port again.
Container truck transactions on March 20 were 40% of normal volume, said the port authority in a statement. That’s the highest volume since the strike began over three weeks ago.
In an effort to get the truckers back to work, the provincial government will introduce back-to-work legislation March 24. That legislation will apply to the unionized truckers who are on strike. Another group, the non-unionized United Truckers Association, is also refusing to work. Low pay and long waiting times at port terminals are both groups’ main concerns.
The port has said it will terminate or not renew licenses if truckers do not return to work. That will affect both unionized and non-unionized truckers, said Gavin McGarrigle, area director for Unifor.
McGarrigle questioned the legality of the license terminations, as well as how quickly the port would be able to find replacement truckers.
“The only thing that’s going to get this thing resolved is some kind of negotiated settlement instead of threats and bullying,” McGarrigle said.
Labour mediator Vince Ready is currently reviewing the trucking system, and will report to government May 30. A proposal based on Ready’s interim recommendations was put to the truckers last week, but was rejected. McGarrigle said his union wants to see Ready mediate an agreement, not just complete a review.
Meanwhile, British Columbia businesses continue to be caught in the middle as the port backlog grows. Surinder Ghog, chief executive officer of Aspen Planers, said his company will temporarily shut down a finishing mill in Merritt tonight, putting 60 workers out of work. The company has also stopped logging, affecting 12 contractors and their employees.
For Ghog, the strike is happening at the worst time of the year, when orders are normally high in advance of the spring construction season.
Truckers will rally today at noon at Canada Place.
