Picket lines are up at the Port of Vancouver

The potential for a strike at the Port of Vancouver has become a reality.

Members of the Grains Workers Union Local 333 were on the picket line at 7 am Pacific Time today after issuing a 72 hour strike notice on the weekend.

The Union and the Vancouver Terminal Elevators Association have been unable to agree on a new contract. 

The walkout by more than 600 workers is impacting Viterra's Cascadia and Pacific Terminals, Richardson International Terminal, Cargill Limited Terminal, the G3 Vancouver Terminal and Alliance Grain Terminal.

Grain Growers of Canada Executive Director Kyle Larkin says to have another strike impacting the grain sector is going to have a devastating effect.

"This is going to have an impact of $35 million a day in exports because we won't be able to ship the 100,000 cubic metric tonnes that the Port of Vancouver receives on a daily basis by rail of grain."

Larkin and many in the ag sector are concerned about the damage another strike will have on Canada's reputation with 52 per cent of all grain produced in Canada shipped through the Port of Vancouver.