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Negotiations between striking dock workers and their employers in Pacific Canada have resumed following a four-day break from the negotiation table, according to a statement released by the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) on Saturday.
The BCMEA and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU Canada) met on Saturday with the support of federal mediators, as stated in the announcement. Talks had previously reached a standstill on Tuesday, leading to a temporary halt in negotiations.
Approximately 7,500 port workers initiated a strike on July 1, demanding higher wages. This strike disrupted operations at the Port of Vancouver and Port of Prince Rupert, which serve as vital gateways for exporting the country's natural resources and commodities, as well as importing raw materials.
Both the federal and provincial governments of Canada had urged the parties to resume negotiations. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith also expressed support for an immediate recall of parliament to consider legislation aimed at resolving the work stoppage.
The BCMEA disclosed that it presented a revised proposal to address skilled trades shortages and ILWU Canada's request to expand their jurisdiction over regular maintenance work on terminals. However, ILWU Canada rejected the proposal. ILWU Canada has not yet responded to requests for comment, but the union held a rally in Vancouver on Sunday.
According to the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CM&E), the strike is causing disruptions amounting to CAD 500 million ($377 million) in trade per day. Economists warn that these disruptions could lead to supply-chain disruptions that contribute to inflation. The ongoing dock workers strike will also be a factor for the Bank of Canada (BoC) to consider ahead of its policy announcement next week, as the longer the strike persists, the higher the risk of supply-chain disruptions fueling inflation.
The strike, which has now entered its 8th day, has impacted operations at two of Canada's busiest ports, with significant implications for trade. However, the central bank may be less concerned about the strike's impact on economic activity if overtime work later clears the backlogs.
Andrew Grantham, Senior Economist at CIBC Capital Markets, stated, "The supply-chain impact and any kind of inflationary pressure is the bigger risk. If there's a near-term volatility in the trade figures or even the GDP figures based on this, the Bank of Canada always looks through that volatility no matter where it comes from."
In June, the BoC raised interest rates to a 22-year high of 4.75% after a five-month pause, citing stronger-than-expected growth and a tight labor market contributing to stubbornly high inflation. Although inflation has decreased to 3.4% in May from its peak of 8.1% last year, the BoC anticipates that it will take until the end of next year to reach its 2% target.
Money markets anticipate further tightening from the central bank, possibly as early as the upcoming policy decision next Wednesday. The majority of economists surveyed are convinced that there will be another rate hike next week.
With the federal and provincial governments urging a resumption of talks, Canada's Minister of Labour, Seamus O'Regan, expressed the desire to see goods moving through the BC ports, emphasizing the importance of industry, labor, and all levels of government working together. O'Regan also spoke with Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su, highlighting the significant trade relationship between Canada and the United States.
The CM&E industry body highlighted that the strike is causing CAD 500 million in trade disruptions daily. Senior Economist at BMO Capital Markets, Robert Kavcic, remarked, "This is a serious disruption that will have some noticeable consequences if it drags on."
