Manitoba producers call for end to port workers strike in Vancouver

A group that represents Manitoba farmers is calling for the “immediate” end to a strike that has seen grain workers at Canada’s largest port walk off the job right in the middle of harvest season.

“Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) is calling for an immediate resumption of activities at the Port of Vancouver, including all terminal activity,” KAP said in a press release.

Grain workers at the Port of Vancouver walked off the job Tuesday over hours and wages, after first giving a 72-hour strike notice on Saturday.

KAP president Jill Verwey said the timing of the strike could not get much worse for Manitoba farmers and farmers across the country.

“Producers already face a massive amount of pressure during the annual harvest season to get crop in the bin,” Verwey said.

“This disruption at such a critical time of year will only add further stress to producers as they work long hours to get harvest complete, not knowing if there will be a transportation system to get that product to market.”

According to KAP, approximately 70% of Canada’s bulk grain is exported through Vancouver grain terminals, representing 27 million tonnes of grain in the 2023-24 crop year, while 100% of bulk peas and lentils move through Vancouver terminals.

KAP general manager Brenna Mahoney said that the two organizations involved in the strike, Grain Workers Union Local 333 and the Vancouver Terminal Elevators’ Association, have committed to continuing negotiations which gives KAP some “relief,” but added every day that the strike goes on, the more it will harm farmers.

“The lack of activity at the Port of Vancouver due to (the) strike continues to prevent the movement of essential goods,” Mahoney said.

“With it being mid-harvest that this strike action is occurring, the timing could not be worse for Manitoba producers.”