Grain farmers urge intervention as Metro Vancouver terminal workers prep strike
Canada's grain farmers say a strike at Metro Vancouver terminals would cripple crop exports if it were allowed to take place.
The Grain Growers of Canada say in a statement that it is "deeply concerned" about a potential strike of grain workers in Metro Vancouver, since about 52 per cent of all Canadian-grown grain went to those terminals last year.
Grain farmers say a strike would "halt nearly 100,000 metric tonnes" of commodities arriving each day, potentially costing $35 million daily in lost exports.
The response comes after the union representing grain workers at terminals in Metro Vancouver said it has served their employer with a 72-hour strike notice.
The Grain Workers Union Local 333 says in a statement posted to Facebook that its strike will start at 7 a.m. Tuesday.
The Vancouver Terminal Elevators Association says affected operations include Viterra's Cascadia and Pacific Terminals, Richardson International Terminal, Cargill Limited Terminal, G3 Terminal Vancouver and Alliance Grain Terminal, all located in Vancouver and North Vancouver.
"Grain farmers in the prairies rely heavily on the Port of Vancouver to handle and export the majority of the grain they grow," the statement from the Grain Growers of Canada says. "Following last month's rail work stoppages, this strike will have an equally devastating impact on grain farmers across the prairies who are in the midst of harvest."
The group is also urging federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon to "use all tools available" to prevent a work stoppage from coming to pass.
"Without intervention, Canada’s international trading reputation will continue to suffer, leading to the loss of key global markets and customers," the Grain Growers' statement says.
Grain Workers Union Local 333 says the union's bargaining committee made the decision to issue a strike notice after the Vancouver Terminal Elevators Association "invested very little effort" during negotiations last week.
The union says it's now up to the employer to present a proposal for a new contract, and workers have provided a "comprehensive package" last Thursday with the association indicating the next day it had no counter offer.
It's statement says the union's shop committees will advise members of their picketing duties before the start of the strike Tuesday morning.
"You are required to leave the terminal at that time if you are working," the statement says to workers.
"Your union will not bargain against itself," the grain workers statement says. "We will await their proposal if, and when, it comes, and respond accordingly."
A statement issued by the Vancouver Terminal Elevators Association says it concluded conciliation with the union with assistance from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service on Aug. 26.
It says it could not come to an agreement on a new contract and the union has been in a legal strike position since last Tuesday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 23, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They're never going to see me cry': Michael Kovrig shares experience of more than 1,000 days in Chinese detainment
It's been exactly three years since Canadian Michael Kovrig returned to Canada after spending 1,019 days in a Chinese prison. Now, he's publicly speaking out about his arrest and detainment for the first time.
Lebanon sees deadliest day of conflict since 2006 as Israeli strikes kill 492
Israeli strikes on Lebanon Monday killed more than 490 people, including more than 90 women and children, Lebanese authorities said, in the deadliest barrage since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.
Police investigating sudden death of 2-year-old boy in Cambridge, Ont.
Police say a toddler in Cambridge, Ont., who was reported missing early Monday morning, has since died.
Number of CRA employees fired for inappropriately claiming CERB approaches 300
The Canada Revenue Agency has provided new data on the number of employees who were found to have received the Canada Emergency Response Benefit during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Is COVID XEC worse than other variants? Experts share what's known about the virus in Canada
While many Canadians no longer stress as much about COVID-19 as they did during its peak, health experts say a new variant has been spreading in some parts of the world and is now present in Canada.
House Speaker asks MPs to behave better in question period after incident
House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus gave MPs a stern warning on Monday about improving their behaviour as they prepare for a fractious debate about whether the Liberals should continue to govern.
Thousands of bones and hundreds of weapons reveal grisly insights into a 3,250-year-old battle
A new analysis of dozens of arrowheads is helping researchers piece together a clearer portrait of the warriors who clashed on Europe’s oldest known battlefield 3,250 years ago.
Beverly Glenn-Copeland reveals dementia diagnosis, will soon play final Canadian show
Beverly Glenn-Copeland says he's been diagnosed with dementia and will play his final concert tour dates over the next two weeks.
Calgary men guilty in multimillion-dollar fraud case involving B.C. RV resort
On Sept. 20, Justice R.E. Nation of the Alberta Court of King's Bench found Craig McMorran guilty of fraud, money laundering and stealing a cottage from its rightful owners.