Groups representing Canadian businesses want the federal government to intervene in the ongoing labour strike at British Columbia ports, with one organization calling for legal changes that would discourage future disruptions.
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters says designating ports and rail lines as essential infrastructure and limiting when and where labour and other disruptions can occur would provide manufacturers the stability they need.
The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade is meanwhile asking Ottawa to 91裸聊视频渦se every tool at its disposal91裸聊视频� to ensure a deal is struck to resume activity at city91裸聊视频檚 port, including back-to-work legislation, if necessary.
The strike of more than 7,000 workers at ports across the province is in its fourth day after talks between the two sides stalled on Monday.
Representatives for the BC Maritime Employers Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada negotiated over the long weekend, before the association issued a statement saying it didn91裸聊视频檛 think more bargaining would produce a deal.
The association said Tuesday that negotiations were 91裸聊视频減aused, pending further discussion with the federal mediators.91裸聊视频�
The union has meanwhile accused the association of changing its position on a key issue at the last minute to 91裸聊视频渕uddy the waters.91裸聊视频�
Federal Labour Minister Seamus O91裸聊视频橰egan said in a Tweet that federal mediators 91裸聊视频渃ontinue to support91裸聊视频� both sides in the negotiations.
91裸聊视频淲e encourage both parties to immediately return to the bargaining table and remain there until a deal is reached,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淐ollective bargaining is hard work but it91裸聊视频檚 how the best, most resilient deals are made.91裸聊视频�
News of a strike at the ports, including Canada91裸聊视频檚 largest, the Port of Vancouver, has led many business groups to raise red flags, suggesting job action would have far-reaching implications for Canada91裸聊视频檚 economy.
91裸聊视频淎 strike of this magnitude not only disrupts the Canadian economy but damages our global trading reputation, hurts already fragile supply chains, and puts jobs at risk,91裸聊视频� Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters said in a statement Tuesday.
91裸聊视频淕iven that the federal government understands what is at stake, (Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters) urges them to intervene now to reassure manufacturers that they will not bear the brunt of a labour dispute that is beyond their control,91裸聊视频� it said.
The group, which says its members account for about 82 per cent of total manufacturing production and 90 per cent of Canada91裸聊视频檚 exports, estimates that $500 million worth of goods is being disrupted every day.
READ ALSO:
