Vancouver, British Columbia — The automotive supply chain could see serious delays if longshore workers in Vancouver cannot reach an agreement with the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA).
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada, representing more than 7,000 workers in the Port of Vancouver—Canada’s largest port—served the BCMEA with a 72-hour strike notice last Wednesday.
Brian Kingston, the CEO of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturer’s Association said that the automotive supply chain, including parts and raw materials shipments would be upended by a strike.
“This threatens North American automotive production, the hundreds of thousands of people employed in the sector, and the broader Canadian economy,” he said in a release.
Grain shipments will continue, but other industries, including automotive, would see deliveries stop.
Automotive News Canada says that automakers importing vehicles into Canada via the Port of Vancouver have seen delays for more than a month. Some companies have even diverted shipments to the United States to avoid Vancouver slowdowns.
If an agreement is not reached, a strike could begin as early as July 1.
