longshore workers

Dockworkers at Canada’s West Coast ports launch strike

More than 7,400 dockworkers represented by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union in Canada went on strike Saturday after negotiations with the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) failed to reach a new labor contract. 

The strike threatens to disrupt container traffic at two of Canada’s busiest ports in Vancouver and Prince Rupert, key export gateways for the country.

The union’s strike was officially announced Saturday in a Facebook post by ILWU President Rob Ashton....

West Coast dockworkers to Russian cargo: Nyet!

Large tank farm, rail tracks with container trains at a port. Overhead view.

Russian ocean cargoes are already having difficulty getting to market as industry and labor get ahead of official government sanctions with unofficial embargoes of their own.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union, representing about 20,000 dockworkers at West Coast ports, said last week it will not load or unload any Russian cargo imports or exports. 

“With this action in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, we send a strong message that we unequivocally condemn the Russian invasion,”...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/west-coast-dockworkers-to-russian-cargo-nyet

Bargaining over West Coast ports labor pact puts retailers on edge

Workers and trucks under giant ship cranes at a port.

Port congestion that has snarled supply chains for more than a year could soon get worse if negotiations for a new contract between West Coast port operators and dockworkers don’t go smoothly. The rocky history between management and the stevedoring union has shippers buckling in for a stomach-churning year of late shipments, stockouts and soaring transportation costs.

On Thursday, the National Retail Federation urged the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/bargaining-over-west-coast-ports-labor-pact-puts-retailers-on-edge

Montreal port to resume cargo activity after government strike intervention

A tugboat helps park a large containership at the Port of Montreal. by pushing it into the wharf.

Container and bulk terminals at the Port of Montreal will open for business Monday at 7 A.M. after the Canadian government forced an end to a strike by longshoremen, but it could take several days to work through freight backlogs and longer to resume normal operations, the port authority said. 

About 10 vessels are scheduled to enter the Port of Montreal and nearly 20,000 TEUs of container volume were trapped on port property when the work stoppage began, officials said in a statement Saturday.

Im...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/montreal-port-to-resume-cargo-activity-after-government-strike-intervention

Port of Long Beach volume jumps 43.3% year-over-year

The Port of Long Beach announced Wednesday “an unseasonable surge in cargo” had led to its busiest February on record. 

That surge has put the entire container shipping world’s focus on California’s San Pedro Bay, where historic congestion has resulted in an unprecedented backlog of vessels laden with cargo waiting for berth space.

“We understand that shippers are awaiting their cargo and we are collaborating with our industry partners to deliver shipments as quickly as possible,” Port of Long...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/port-of-long-beach-volume-jumps-433%-year-over-year

Longshore employer: Port of Montreal cargo must move

The Maritime Employers Association (MEA) on Wednesday called for a truce to end the longshore workers’ strike and get cargo moving again at the Port of Montreal.

MEA President and CEO Martin Tessier said during a press conference that while a negotiated resolution is the goal, 477 containers, some holding perishable goods, sit at the Port of Montreal and need to move now.

“I met with the union. I gave them a letter telling them that we need to move some very important goods that are critical for...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/longshore-employer-port-of-montreal-cargo-must-move

Canadian government won’t play peacemaker to end port strike

Canadian officials expect the Port of Montreal longshore workers’ union and the employment association to resolve their differences without government intervention.

Longshore members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 375 began an indefinite strike Monday after the latest talks with the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) broke down. It’s the fourth walkout staged by CUPE since July 1.

“Our government’s clear expectation is for both parties to work together to resolve their...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/canadian-government-wont-play-peacemaker-to-end-port-strike

Port of Montreal longshore workers on strike again

Port of Montreal longshore workers have walked off the job again.

The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) braced for terminal delays or operations stoppages after the longshore members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) launched a four-day strike Monday morning.

“We have counted seven vessels that could experience direct impacts,” Melanie Nadeau, the MPA’s director of communications, said Tuesday. “Four are experiencing delays or have to change their navigation strategy. For the other...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/port-of-montreal-longshore-workers-on-strike-again

Port of Montreal longshore workers to walk off job

Port of Montreal longshore workers are slated to go on strike at 3 p.m. Thursday.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) said its longshore members will stage a 40-hour work stoppage set to conclude at 6:59 a.m. Saturday.

The strike affects union workers at two port terminals, Cast and Racine. Seventeen other terminals will be operational, according to Christine Beaulieu, community relations manager for the Montreal Port Authority.

“These pressure tactics exercised by the longshoremen’s...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/port-of-montreal-longshore-workers-walking-off-job