Strike Commences at Six Grain Terminals in Metro Vancouver, Picket Lines Installed

Picket lines have been set up at six grain terminals in Metro Vancouver as approximately 600 workers go on strike.

The Minister of Labour for Canada announced that he had discussions on Monday with both the employer and representatives of the Grain Workers Union Local 333, and they have agreed to resume contract negotiations with the help of federal mediators.

Steven MacKinnon shared a message on the social media platform X, stating that Canadian farmers have a surplus crop that needs to reach the market.

Union president Douglas Lea-Smith views the involvement of the labour minister as a positive development, with a meeting scheduled for Wednesday between the union and the employer to resolve the deadlock in negotiations.

Lea-Smith expressed disappointment that the Vancouver Terminal Elevators Association did not engage meaningfully during twelve days of bargaining before the intervention of federal mediators.

A statement from the Shipping Federation of Canada mentioned that despite efforts made with the help of the federal service, there was no agreement on a new contract after conciliation on August 26.

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The affected facilities include Viterra’s Cascadia and Pacific Terminals, Richardson International Terminal, Cargill Limited Terminal, G3 Terminal Vancouver, and Alliance Grain Terminal, all situated in Vancouver and North Vancouver.

The union reports providing the employer with a comprehensive package last Thursday, only to receive no counter offer the next day from the association.

However, Lea-Smith mentioned that the association presented a full proposal directly to workers, bypassing the union.

He expressed that the major point of contention in negotiations revolves around earned time-off days or lieu days.

Lea-Smith stated that the employer’s move to abolish lieu days is the primary reason for the strike action to continue, applying pressure at the negotiation table.

He explained that the history of lieu days dates back to binding arbitration in 2002, when workers transitioned to round-the-clock operations.

“In 2002, grain workers earned more on a pro rata basis compared to today,” Lea-Smith added, highlighting the significance of the current strike.

He noted that this is the first strike by the union local since around 1970.