21 April 2004

Talks resume today in tug and barge strike

The following is excerpted from the “Canadian Transportation & Logistics” edition of 21 April 2004.

A strike by some 800 B.C. tug and barge operators in the Canadian Merchant Service Guild, may lead to layoffs in the forest industry that could begin later this week. …

Meanwhile, the Port of Vancouver says it remains open for business with cargo continuing to move with minimal delays in the inner harbour, following the strike action which began Friday April 16.

According to Port of Vancouver spokesman Jon Hicke, mediated talks between the two parties adjourned last night at 21:30 and are scheduled to resume again today, April 21, at 14:00. The Vancouver Port Authority is urging both sides to reach a settlement. Hicke says goods worth about C$100 million (USD $74.3 million) a day pass through Vancouver's port, including coal, wheat, wood products, potash and finished goods. Port officials estimate the strike is costing British Columbia up to $100 million a day, affecting everything from cruise ships to container traffic. ….The Financial Post, meanwhile, reports that operations at Deltaport, near the U.S. border, have been virtually halted with no ships coming in and shipments of container cargo being turned away.

Tug and barge companies say they haven't ruled out going to court to seek an injunction if the mediation fails.