Up to 7,000 port workers could be off the job as of Thursday all across the West Coast, including those in Prince Rupert.
The B.C. Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) issued a lockout notice to workers effective Thursday after contract negotiations stalled.
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) calls the move “reckless”, noting a shutdown of all West Coast ports would be a major hit to the B.C. and Canadian economy.
Container traffic through the Ports of Prince Rupert and Vancouver alone account for nearly 67 percent of the country’s overall total.
The lockout would not affect workers in grain or cruise ship operations.
The move comes after 17 months of bargaining.
