The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday, Nov. 6, edition that Canada's potash producers warn that the lockout of unionized supervisors at B.C. ports could let rivals like Russia and Belarus gain market share. The Globe's Brent Jang writes that The BC Maritime Employers Association locked out about 730 ship and dock forepersons after the union began limited strike action, including an overtime ban. Members of Local 514, who are supervisors of 7,400 workers at the International Longshore & Warehouse Union Canada, set up picket lines on Tuesday morning, including at the Neptune terminal.
Nutrien spokesman Shawn Churchill said in a statement: "A prolonged disruption could negatively impact farmers and food security around the globe. We urge the parties to come to an agreement before damage is done to Canada's reputation as a reliable, global potash supplier."
All container terminals, which handle both imports and exports, and most other facilities at B.C. ports closed on Monday. Only a handful of operations remain open, such as sites for exporting coal, heavy oil and bulk grain.
Rank-and-file longshore workers at the ILWU went on strike at B.C. ports for two weeks in July, 2023.
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