There is a unified call from Saskatchewan for federal government action to immediately end the ports dispute in British Columbia (B.C.).
Saskatchewan potash and grain shipments have been adversely affected. The provincial government and industry agree that swift action is needed.
Potash production has been curtailed at one Saskatchewan mine and storage is at capacity for several others.
The mining industry is calling for immediate federal government action.
“I think most people thought there had been a fair and reasonable settlement that had been agreed to so we are looking now for the federal government to have some sort of termination to this strike whether it be through binding arbitration or back to work legislation,” said Pam Schwann, president of the Saskatchewan Mining Association.
Chris Lane, Economic Development Regina president and CEO, said Regina's economy relies on the movement of goods in both directions.
"The strike, which has now been declared illegal, threatens large and small businesses alike. It also threatens to disrupt Canada’s long, hard fight to bring inflation under control, creating further hardship for businesses, employees, customers, and homeowners,” he said in a media release.
Sean Stefan, owner of the Rusty Shovel, said the disruption is frustrating for them and their customers.
"Operating a small business is tough at the best of times, but this added stress is wrong - and avoidable, and it puts businesses like mine in unnecessary danger," he said in the release.
Murad Al-Katib, president and CEO of AGT Food & Ingredients, said the strike action is further risking their global reputation as a reliable shipper, and urges the government to end the action and impose the settlement.
"Container and intermodal traffic has been disrupted, and we were just recovering from the supply chain disruptions of the pandemic. This adds costs to the system in a time where inflation and food inflation are high in the minds of everyone," he said.
In a series of tweets, Premier Scott Moe expressed his disdain for the B.C. port strike action, claiming a devastating impact on Saskatchewan’s economy.
On Wednesday, the federal labour minister ruled the port strike illegal. Moe took to Twitter to say the federal government must act immediately to end the blockade.
Jeremy Cockrill, the provincial minister of highways and transportation, spoke on the strike action while attending a Saskatoon farm show.
“This created a backlog. Just because you’re off for thirteen days doesn’t mean the whole system or supply chain recovers in 13 days. This is going to take months or close to a year or more to recover from this,” he said.
The Saskatchewan New Democrats are calling for a return to the bargaining table, and farm groups are concerned about further disruption of grain shipments.
Ian Boxall, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, said it’s time the government deemed the port an essential service in Canada, which would supersede some of what they are seeing happen because of the strike.
“It’s time there was a deep dive into the port and how it’s run and how it’s operated,” he said.
International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers have been on the picket line since July 1, calling for a fair and negotiated collective agreement. An offer was presented on July 13, which was rejected.
In response, the province is calling for quick resolution to a labour dispute that is having a serious impact on Saskatchewan’s economy.
