Canada orders end to BC, Montreal port shutdowns with binding arbitration: Labour Minister

Canadian Labour Minister Steve MacKinnon ordered an end to work stoppages at Canada’s largest ports in British Columbia and Quebec on Tuesday, imposing “final and binding arbitration” on the parties. MacKinnon said that despite directing the parties back to the table in recent days, there has been little progress in negotiations. “These work stoppages are impacting our supply chains. Hundreds of thousands of Canadian jobs, our economy, and our reputation as a reliable and international trading partner,” MacKinnon said. “If these work stoppages go on, the impacts will only worsen and our well-earned reputation for reliability will be put at risk.” This marks the second time in a matter of months that the Liberal government has imposed binding arbitration to end a labour stoppage, last using such powers to end a shutdown at Canada’s two largest railway companies in August. Asked if he is concerned whether this may be setting a precedent, MacKinnon said that he did not take the decision “lightly.” Dock workers at Canada’s busiest ports were both locked out after unions and employers failed to reach a deal at the table. Workers at the Port of Montreal took to the picket lines on Sunday night, joining their already locked-out peers at B.C. ports. The labour action has stymied the flow of more than $1.2 billion worth of goods flowing through those channels on a daily basis, experts indicate. For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/10865293/bc-montreal-port-shutdown-binding-arbitration/ Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: http://bit.ly/20fcXDc Like Global News on Facebook HERE: http://bit.ly/255GMJQ Follow Global News on X HERE: http://bit.ly/1Toz8mt Follow Global News on Instagram HERE: https://bit.ly/2QZaZIB #GlobalNews #Canada #Ports