A lockout of longshore workers at the Port of Vancouver ended, as a deal was reached on May 30. The agreement prevented a potentially significant shipping disruption, as the workers’ union and employers association informed.
As the lockout was lifted, Reuters reported that the union withdrew its strike notice. However, details of the agreement are not know as of yet.
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The issue that led to the disagreement was the employers association’s introduction of automation that could lead to jobs losses.
Despite lasting a short time, the lockout caused large lineups of trucks outside terminals, while ships were rerouted to other West Coast ports, informed said Joel Neuheimer, vice president of international trade and transportation at Forest Products Association of Canada.
On the other hand, cruise ships and licensed grain terminals were not affected.