A tentative deal has been reached to bring an end to the strike at the Port of Vancouver, Canada’s labour minister said.
Workers at six grain terminals at the port had been on strike since Sept. 24.
The dispute between the Western Grain Elevator Association and the Grain Workers Union Local 333 includes about 600 employees.
MacKinnon had directed both sides to go back to the bargaining table, with a federal mediator to help.
The tentative deal ended the strike that disrupted canola and wheat exports. The Alberta government said the strike could cost grain exporters $35 million a day.
The statement said they were “extremely concerned” about the labour dispute, noting it was taking place during harvest time.
“Each day this strike continues will have far-reaching impacts on our agriculture industry, the supply chain and Canada’s economy,” it said.
“The damage caused by this disruption will be devastating to our grain handling industry, disrupting about $35 million of grain exports each day the work stoppage continues, including $11 million of Alberta exports.”
Alberta said the strike could back up the entire grain-handling system, with local elevators refusing to take grain. This, in turn, would leave farmers with limited ability to store grain for extended periods, which could cause spoilage or “severe downgrades” of the product.
Smith and her team said that more than 52 percent of grain produced in Canada is shipped through the Vancouver port.
“Our grain supply feeds Canadians and millions of people around the world. A prolonged work stoppage could undermine Canada’s position as one of the world’s most stable and reliable food suppliers.”
Alberta called on the federal government to step in.
The province said it sent a letter to call on Ottawa to “respond proactively” and “more effectively” to labour disputes when they can impact critical supply chains.
