CIFFA Letter Regarding West Coast Ports Labour Negotiations

CIFFA wrote to several government ministers to draw attention to the ongoing labour negotiations at Canada’s West Coast ports. The BCMEA and ILWU are negotiating two coastwide collective agreements on behalf of the Longshore Locals and Local 514 Ship & Dock Foremen respectively. CIFFA’s members regard this situation as potentially one of the most significant impacts on Canada’s economy, with the potential to create very significant disruptions, which would undoubtedly increase consumer costs, fueling additional inflation, and severely impact businesses relying on imports of equipment or exports of products.

CIFFA urged government to do everything in its power to ensure this bargaining process is well-supported and that the government is proactive and swift in taking action to protect Canadian business and consumers. Even the mere threat of a labour disruption will undermine the economic and social well-being of Canada. (Read full letter)