Quay cranes whirred back into action at ports across British Columbia late yesterday afternoon as a tentative deal between unions and employers was reached to end a 13-day strike.
The four-year deal, hammered out with help from federal mediators, is subject to ratification by both sides.
British Columbia premier David Eby applauded the thaw in relations, saying: “I am optimistic that this deal will help bring long-term stability to our ports, solidify Vancouver as a world-class trade centre, strengthen our economy and provide fairness to workers.”
Dennis Darby, CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, said in a statement that he was relieved the “crisis” seems to be over, but noted that manufacturers would be spending the “next several months sorting through the damage and getting caught up.”
“The total cost to our industry is not just the days of the strike, but the days and months of work that precede and follow a disruption,” he said. “This is why we need reforms that will avoid a complete shutdown of Canada’s transportation system and supply chains every six months.”
Writing on LinkedIn earlier this week, Lars Jensen, founder of container advisory Vespucci Maritime, warned that shippers will face plenty more supply chain hurdles after the ports such as Vancouver and Prince Rupert reopen.
“Keep in mind that when the strike ends at some point, the railroads will be challenged to handle the sudden influx of the cargo presently stuck on the vessels,” Jensen pointed out.
Last month, a deal was struck between employers and dockworkers south of the border in the US, averting similar industrial action.
