Vancouver moves to block strike disruption

Both groups are demanding that the port streamline operations to improve congestion or pay truckers a fair hourly wage while they queue. The trouble is that most truckers are paid by the load so waiting cuts the amount of deliveries they can make in one day.

Port Metro Vancouver meanwhile has moved to block further strike action on the back of union members “stopping and vandalising” a truck that was trying to gain access to port terminals last week.

In a statement, the port said that it would not condone “illegal conduct such as harassment, threats, property damage and assaults by individuals or members of organisations that tacitly or actively encourage such activities.”

It said that the injunction, which has the support of members of the BC Trucking Association (BCTA) and port tenants, will prohibit disruptions to port operations and allow those who have been harassed or intimidated by the strikes to get back to work this week.

The BCTA has requested an eight point proposal to remedy the current situation, which the port has largely agreed to implement:

• Once a re-start date is determined, terminals will announce a fluidity recovery plan two days in advance of start-up date, including extended hours if needed
• Gate hours at terminals will be extended to match projected volumes Monday through Friday. In addition, it will adopt an industry wide measure to do this A pilot project was agreed to with terminal operators and ILWU in February 2014 with details to be finalised by March 2014
• The port will conduct full rate audits of all trucking companies licensed through its Truck Licensing System, with the trucking industry helping to define parameters and contribute funding
• The Terminal Gate Compliance Fee will be waived when “extensive delays” are encountered on a particular day, the definition of which will be decided by the end of March 2014
• Owner-operators will be compensated for the Terminal Gate Efficiency Fee impacted by terminal truck processing delays beginning no later than 1 May 2014
• The Independent Operator Permits of any owner-operators and licenses of full service operators deemed to be in noncompliance of the 2005 Memorandum of Agreement or involved in disruptive behaviour affecting port operations will be terminated
• Lastly, the Independent Operator Permit moratorium will be lifted to offset the loss of owner-operators whose permits have been revoked due to disruptive behaviour during work stoppage, subject to an overall assessment of demand.