Vancouver, Canada's largest port, has reported cargo volumes have fallen 50 per cent because of a CN and United Transportation Union of Canada (UTU) dispute, involving 2,800 striking railway workers.
A Vancouver Port Authority (VPA) statement said that in the 10 days since the strike began, an estimated C$730 million (US$623.6 million) in cargo has been held up and the situation is deteriorating.
"Our customers' lost sales can't be made up," said Captain Gordon Houston, VPA president and CEO.
The statement added that the CN/UTU dispute is compounded by severe winter weather conditions across the transportation network, with port customers and terminals reporting significant reductions in service levels.
"The timing of this dispute, in the midst of significant weather-related disruptions to the transportation chain, preys upon those who depend on the port for their livelihoods and makes the situation worse," said Mr Houston.
He emphasised that port operations are being seriously impacted by the work stoppage. "Ensuring the reliability of this gateway is of paramount concern to all port stakeholders. We are encouraged by Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn's appointment of a mediator and his urging that the parties end the dispute within hours, not days. The port supports the government in pursuing whatever course of action is required to bring this dispute to an immediate conclusion," said Mr Houston.
The VPA statement pointed out that failing a quick conclusion to the dispute, the port will take steps to minimise the disruption to customers. Illegal picketing will not be tolerated and the port will do everything possible to ensure that legal pickets do not impact those who are not a party to the dispute.
A Vancouver Port Authority (VPA) statement said that in the 10 days since the strike began, an estimated C$730 million (US$623.6 million) in cargo has been held up and the situation is deteriorating.
"Our customers' lost sales can't be made up," said Captain Gordon Houston, VPA president and CEO.
The statement added that the CN/UTU dispute is compounded by severe winter weather conditions across the transportation network, with port customers and terminals reporting significant reductions in service levels.
"The timing of this dispute, in the midst of significant weather-related disruptions to the transportation chain, preys upon those who depend on the port for their livelihoods and makes the situation worse," said Mr Houston.
He emphasised that port operations are being seriously impacted by the work stoppage. "Ensuring the reliability of this gateway is of paramount concern to all port stakeholders. We are encouraged by Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn's appointment of a mediator and his urging that the parties end the dispute within hours, not days. The port supports the government in pursuing whatever course of action is required to bring this dispute to an immediate conclusion," said Mr Houston.
The VPA statement pointed out that failing a quick conclusion to the dispute, the port will take steps to minimise the disruption to customers. Illegal picketing will not be tolerated and the port will do everything possible to ensure that legal pickets do not impact those who are not a party to the dispute.