Port Metro Vancouver calls for an Immediate Resolution to CP Strike

VANCOUVER, May 24, 2012 /CNW/ - Port Metro Vancouver, along with its terminal operators, is deeply concerned by the current labour dispute between Canadian Pacific (CP) and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC), the union representing CP engineers, conductors and rail traffic controllers in Canada.  While the Port acknowledges that both sides are continuing to work towards a resolution, any continued work stoppage of CP operations will have severe consequences not only for port operations, but also the Canadian economy, and the long term reputation of the Gateway.

The work stoppage at CP Rail is having a negative effect on Canadian businesses and families.  $200 million of cargo is traded through the Port of Vancouver alone every day and the stoppage will have a $545 million a week impact on Canada's economy.   Whether its grain and minerals from Saskatchewan, coal and forest products from Alberta, cars from Japan or forest products and manufactured goods from British Columbia, thousands of Canadian families' jobs depend on the active and efficient movement of trade through the Vancouver Gateway.

The port is encouraged that federal Minister of Labour, the Honourable Lisa Raitt, has indicated that she would be prepared to act in the face of a protracted labour struggle, but officials and terminals at Port Metro Vancouver say time is running out with damage from the strike already being felt throughout the economy.

"This day-old strike is already having significant economic and long-term reputational effects on the Gateway," said Port Metro Vancouver CEO Robin Silvester.  "We commend the government and Minister Raitt for their commitment towards bringing the stoppage to an end but the only two parties that can bring this to the rapid resolution so urgently needed are Canadian Pacific Railway and its union.  They have a critical responsibility to work tirelessly towards a successful agreement and get the trains, and the economy, moving again," concluded Silvester.

"Movement of major export commodities out of Canada's largest port will become severely hampered in coming days due to the work stoppage.  Deprived of CP's rail services, the Port's major sulphur, coal, potash and grain terminals are losing volume, with deep ramifications on jobs across Canada," said Peter Xotta, Vice President of Planning and Operations at Port Metro Vancouver.

"TSI is Port Metro Vancouver's largest container terminal operator moving more than 75% of the containerized cargo through the Port.  We are very concerned about the impact that this strike has on our customers, and on our reputation as an efficient and reliable gateway." said Eric Waltz, President of TSI Terminal Systems Inc. "Canadian Pacific is a critical component of the supply chain that TSI serves and we are hopeful that both parties will come to an agreement as quickly as possible in the best interest of the Canadian economy and everyone concerned."

Port Metro Vancouver and its terminal operators support the introduction and passage of The Restoring Rail Service Act to end this dispute as soon as possible, should the parties not reach an agreement in the very short term.  "We are encouraging all federal party leaders to support swift passage of such legislation," concluded Robin Silvester.

Port Metro Vancouver is Canada's largest and most diversified Port, trading $75 billion in goods annually with more than 160 trading economies, and generating 129,500 jobs nationally.

Marko Dekovic
Communications and Government Affairs, Port Metro Vancouver
604-354-0945