Concerns grow over potential strike at the Port of Vancouver

The agriculture sector is bracing for another potential strike ... this time at the Port of Vancouver.

The Grain Workers Union Local 333 issued a 72 hour strike notice over the weekend, meaning we could see job action start as early as today (Tuesday, September 24).

The potential work stoppage would impact all shipments of bulk grain from the port, causing congestion right through the grain supply chain all the way back to the farmgate. 

Executive Director of the Grain Growers of Canada, Kyle Larkin says prairie farmers rely on the Port of Vancouver to handle and export the majority of the grain they grow.

"If you look at last year, 52% of all grain produced grown in Canada across the country was shipped through the Port of Vancouver. You know there's small amounts that go through the Port of Prince Rupert, there's small amounts that go through Thunder Bay and other ports across the country.  When you think of the number one port in our grain supply chain it is by far the Port of Vancouver. So this isn't something we're taking lightly, it's certainly a big issue and a big concern for us."

He says we'll likely see some grain diverted to other ports, but they certainly can't handle the amount of grain that's going through the Port of Vancouver.

"If you look at the infrastructure at the Port of Prince Rupert for example it's building up year over year but it certainly is nowhere near what we see at the Port of Vancouver." 

A growing concern for the industry is the damage another strike will have on Canada's reputation.

"Our number one customer internationally by volume is China, there in Asia obviously. Number three is Japan, right beside China so that's why everything is flowing west through the Port of Vancouver."

Overall, he says this strike will have an equally devastating impact as last month's rail stoppage on grain farmers across the prairies.

"About a month ago we saw a dual railway work stoppage and now we're seeing this. This is going to have an impact of $35 million a day in exports because we won't be able to ship the 100,000 cubic metric tonnes that the Port of Vancouver receives on a daily basis by rail of grain."

The GGC is calling on the federal government and the Minister of Labour Steven MacKinnon to use all tools available to ensure parties reach an agreement.

To hear Glenda-Lee's conversation with Grain Growers of Canada Executive Director Kyle Larkin click on the link below.