Container truckers represented by Unifor will hold a strike vote March 1, the union announced February 26.
“This morning’s protest is just the beginning,” said Paul Johal, president of the 400-member Unifor-Vancouver Container Truckers’ Association. “Truckers are prepared to escalate job action if the port and both levels of government don’t take our concerns seriously.”
Earlier today, about 400 members of the non-unionized United Truckers Association (UTA) held a protest outside Port Metro Vancouver’s offices and say they are now on strike.
UTA members say they regularly face long waits and poor service at port terminals, which cuts into their pay.
Unifor is demanding increased rates of pay and standardized rates to prevent what they say is under-cutting.
The union said it has been in talks with Port Metro Vancouver about members’ concerns ever since its collective agreement expired in June 2012. It is now calling on the provincial and federal government to mediate in the dispute.
Port Metro Vancouver said the dispute is between the truckers and the companies that hire them.
“Though we cannot get in the middle of the commercial relationship drivers have with trucking companies, the Port is committed to continued collaboration with the UTA and other stakeholders in enhancing operational efficiencies within our jurisdiction,” said Peter Xotta, vice-president of planning and operations at Port Metro Vancouver.
Several infrastructure improvements should improve wait times, according to the port authority.
But UTA spokesman Manny Dosange maintained the problem is with poor service from the longshoreman inside the terminal, including abusive language, and a reluctance on the part of the companies who operate the terminals to keep them open longer than the current eight-hour shift.
Truckers last went on strike for one month in 2005.
