B.C. Ports Face Lockout as Union and Employers Clash Over Contract

The standoff between over 700 foremen and maritime employers threatens to freeze $800 million in daily trade on Canada's West Coast.

The B.C. Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) has initiated a lockout of unionized foremen after the union issued a 72-hour strike notice.
The union, representing more than 700 foremen, accuses employers of acting recklessly and trying to pressure the federal government into intervening.
The BCMEA's final offer includes a 19.2% wage increase over four years, but the union refuses to accept concessions that remove existing agreement parts.
Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon has stated that mediators are ready to assist, emphasizing the responsibility of both parties to reach a deal.
Industry experts warn that the lockout could severely disrupt Canada's supply chain, impacting businesses and risking hundreds of millions in trade daily.