September 14, 2018 – The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has now officially notified Canada Post of their intention to strike on September 26 if an agreement is not reached by then. Although still in negotiations in a mandatory 21 day cooling off period, the two sides have been talking about their new contract since November 2017 without measurable success. Canaan Transport has already activated our contingency plans for our e-commerce and delivery customers that may be affected. Alternative delivery methods have been communicated to our customers that are actively using our CPost programs. We remain confident that a potential strike can be averted as the last labour action was in 2011-2012.
September 10, 2018 – Having survived a sudden labour strike situation at the Port of Vancouver last week, which was only averted with federal mediation, eyes are now returning to the main ILWU/BCMEA longshore workers negotiation. Negotiations continued with ILWU Canada Longshore last week and parties are looking to schedule additional dates throughout September. As long as these negotiations continue, neither party has filed a Notice of Dispute as required by the Canada Labour Code. Unless and until that occurs, the parties are not in a position to strike or lock out under the Longshore or Foremen Collective Agreements. The current 8 year old agreement expired on March 31, 2018 and an agreement still has not been reached. Canaan Transport will provide more news as it develops.
September 6, 2018 – We have received word that mediation was successful and the potential strike at Vancouver’s port terminals has been averted. Please note that there are still ongoing discussions with the ILWU so a potential strike from another group is still a possibility.
September 5, 2018 – Further to the announcement made by the Montreal Gateway terminal concerning the fees for the Extended Opening hours, a fee of $45.00 will be assessed for full import units delivered and full export units received to / from either of Montreal Gateway Terminals Partnership’s facilities. This fee will be applicable on September 17th 2018 and will be assessed on all containers delivered and pick up. We thank you for your understanding at this change which will be added to our customer’s invoices when billed.
September 5, 2018 – GCT has confirmed that if the strike takes place, they will have to suspend all operations. In addition, Anthony Giles, Assistant Deputy Minister at the Labour Canada responsible for the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service has advised our friends at the FMA (Freight Management Association) that Peter Simpson, the Director General, is continuing the mediation process today and tomorrow with the parties and that the federal ministers most closely involved are monitoring this one very closely. More updates as they become available.
September 4, 2018 – First agreement negotiations between GCT Canada, which operates two container terminals in Port of Vancouver, and ILWU 502 representing planners and planning assistants, “have ended with significant gaps remaining between the parties. As such, ILWU 502 issued strike notice on September 3, 2018.” GCT Canada said it was committed to working with ILWU Local 502 to negotiate the first collective agreement for its Planners in order to continue an effective working relationship and ongoing operational stability.
Global Container Terminals has advised as follows:
“If the Planners and Assistant Planners commence a strike, as they have notified GCT and the Federal Minister of Labour that they will, on September 7th at 0001, GCT Canada will have no option but to suspend all of its terminal operations in GCT Deltaport and GCT Vanterm due to the essential nature of this function. This would have a direct impact on all parties who rely on our terminal services to get their products to different international markets.
As a result, GCT has commenced the necessary planning and will work closely with our customers, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, and stakeholders for safe and efficient shut down of our Vancouver terminal operations.”
CIFFA, of which Canaan Transport is a member, has written a letter to the federal government urging that it “use all the tools at its disposal in bringing negotiations to a successful and rapid conclusion, whether through mediation, binding arbitration or any other means.”
The letter was sent today to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Labour, the Minister of Transport, the Minister of International Trade, and the Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility.
This situation could change quickly and the association will endeavour to keep our customers advised as information becomes available.
September 3, 2018 – With the sudden influx of cargo from Asia to North America in the past couple of weeks, carriers are looking forward to making gains in a relatively weak year for global transportation amid rising concerns over the impact of the China / USA trade war. The anticipated September 1st GRI looks to be relatively strong in sticking as capacity has been filled for the past few weeks from Asia to USA inbound.
August 27, 2018 – The US and Mexico governments have announced an agreement in principle that governs their outstanding matters in the current renegotiation of NAFTA. Canada will likely be included in the tri-party talks to see if the NAFTA renegotiation can be completed by the end of this week. More news as it develops.
August 20, 2018 – Canaan Transport is proud to be the logistics partner in Canada for the Japan Foundation, which is holding a cross country Taiko Drum Concert headlined by the world famous Eitetsu Hayashi. Our involvement included the end to end logistics and fulfillment of the taiko drums and the accompanying instruments from beginning to end. More information can be found at https://japanfestivalcanada.com/guests-artists/eitetsu-hayashi/
August 13, 2018 – Two recent events in Europe may affect customers with shipments to and from France and Britain. In France, after weeks of increased air pollution levels, the French government has declared driving bans in many parts of the country. Since July 2017, vehicles must be equipped with a Crit’Air badge, which categorizes vehicles based on their air pollutant emissions, to access the ever-widening French environmental zones. When air pollution is particularly high, temporary air protection zones are also imposed. Current restrictions will impact freight shipments in and through France. Although Canaan Transport and its partners strive to use environmentally sustainable transportation options, we are limited at times to the value received and will always engage with our customers the most efficient way to transport their goods. In Britain, campaigners for a second Brexit referendum are holding a series of events outside London to try to mobilize popular support for the plan. Organized by the People’s Vote campaign, events will be held in Bristol, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Cambridge and Cardiff before culminating in marches to coincide with the Labour party conference in Liverpool and the Conservative conference in Birmingham. Organizers will try to show that those in favour of Britain staying in the European Union no longer represent the establishment – an elitist charge that was successfully used by the Brexiters during the referendum campaign. A source at the People’s Vote campaign said the organization wants to “give voice to millions of people who feel the establishment has screwed Brexit up over the past two years.” With the uncertainty regarding Brexit, many customers are looking at their options in a post-Brexit world. Canaan Transport will continue to provide options as they become available.