Vancouver Port Authority Meets with Facilitator in Truck Strike

Representatives from the Vancouver Port Authority, Fraser River Port Authority, Vancouver Container Truckers' Association (VCTA) and owners' representatives, took part in an informational meeting with Vince Ready the facilitator appointed to settle the strike by the VCTA.

At issue was the VCTA's request that the ports pay compensation directly to the truckers, that the ports restrict access to VCTA members only, and that the ports enforce any agreement between the employers and the truckers.

"The port has a strong interest in seeing this dispute resolved, but it is not a party to this dispute. The present dispute is between the VCTA and a group of approximately 60 companies in the shipping business. The port is not involved in any negotiations or agreements between the VCTA and those companies," said Captain Chris Badger, Vice President of Customer Development and Operations.

"The Port of Vancouver is very concerned about the impact of this dispute. We are encouraged by the involvement of Vince Ready, as well as by the plans of the federal government to establish an inquiry into the dispute. The port is ready and willing to cooperate with those initiatives, but it must be recognized that the port is not a party to the dispute," said Badger.

The container sector is responsible for about $2.8 billion in total annual economic activity British Columbia and Canada. The estimated loss in economic output is estimated at approximately $30 million every week.

The Port of Vancouver is Canada's largest and most diversified port, trading more than $43 billion in goods with more than 90 trading economies annually. Port activities generate 69,200 jobs in total with $4 billion in Gross Domestic Product and $8.9 billion in economic output.