Vancouver Work Stoppage Continues
"The parties remain steadfast, and therefore we have made it clear that we will no longer participate in these discussions. . . . My regret . . . is surpassed only by my anger," said VPA President Norman Stark.
Vancouver, which had seen its shipping traffic grow 44% this year, partly as a result of recent work stoppages at West Coast ports in the United States, stands to lose much of that freight if the trucker job action continues.
"If things aren’t resolved soon, we can’t continue calling at the Port of Vancouver and not being able to deliver cargo to customers there," said Steve Toppings, general manager for North America at Norasia Line. "If something isn’t done in the next seven to 14 days, we’ll have to move [to another port of call]. If we go, there’s the possibility we’re gone for good."
The 410 Canadian owner-operators began their "withdrawal of services" July 22 over delays at the port’s three container terminals. Their chief demand — one to which the carriers are unlikely to agree — is an hourly wage, as opposed to a flat per-container rate. They have rejected all of the trucking companies’ proposals thus far.
"What we offered yesterday [Aug. 10] was to publish a rate list that companies would pay for loads that were hauled," said Victor Leginsky, the trucking companies’ attorney.
Leginsky said an hourly rate is out of the question.
The Vancouver Port Authority has agreed to institute a licensing system to ensure, among other things, all port operators pay their drivers a fair wage.
On Aug. 5, the trucking companies made an offer of a 30% increase in the flat fee, but the drivers voted unanimously to reject it the next day.
Truckers want an industry-wide wage of C$53 an hour.
