B.C. ports shuttered as lockout takes hold in latest labour dispute

British Columbia's ports are closed as workers are locked out following a labor dispute. The lockout involves about 700 unionized workers due to the initiation of union strike action by the BC Maritime Employers Association. Employers announced that in order to defend themselves, workers locked out Local 514 of the International Loading and Warehousing Union.

But union president Frank Morena says employers reacted strongly to the union's initial plan to ban overtime, adding that union negotiators are ready to re-enter talks whenever needed.

Canada's political and business leaders have expressed concern over the port stoppage, especially after previous stoppages at major railways and a 13-day strike in a separate labor dispute last year.

The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce has announced it is returning to its Port Shutdown Calculator, a tool to show the economic toll from the labor dispute that was introduced during last year's work stoppages. Board President Bridget Anderson says the port shutdown will affect $800 million in goods a day, and that every hour of the shutdown will add to inflation.

"This shutdown is the latest in a series of highly damaging labor disputes that have damaged Canada's economy and international reputation," he added. Employers and workers represented by Local 514 have been without a contract since March 2023.

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