Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has demanded the federal government reconvene parliament amid their summer break to legislate on-strike west coast dockworkers back to work — as news broke a tentative deal has fallen through.
“Canadians have had enough!” Smith tweeted on Tuesday.
“The federal government must reconvene parliament and legislate these workers return to work. Albertans and Canadians cannot afford to have hundred of millions of dollars daily in products delayed at these ports. And the longer this strike continues, the more Canada’s credibility as a reliable trading partner is damaged. We need action now!”
This comes after the British Columbia’s International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) rejected a tentative deal reached.
An ILWU statement read, “Our position since day one has been to protect our jurisdiction and this position has not changed.”
The BC Maritime Employers Association has accused the ILWU of rejecting the agreement without sending it to a vote among union members.
“In rejecting this tentative agreement, ILWU leadership is choosing to further harm Canada’s economy, international reputation and most importantly, to Canadians, their livelihoods and all those that rely on a stable supply chain,” the BC Maritime Employers Association said.
Two weeks ago, Alberta’s Minister of Transportation, Devin Dreeshen, requested that federal parliament be recalled to address the strike. Dreeshen said the feds needed to step up to avoid being held “hostage by union tactics.”
“Every day that goes by, about $500 million dollars worth of cargo flows through west coast ports,” he said.
The strike impacts more than 30 ports, including Canada’s largest port, the Port of Vancouver. Over $300 billion (CAD) worth of goods travel through Canada’s West Coast ports – accounting for about 16% of Canada’s internationally traded goods.
