CSCA Pursues Strike Intervention

VANCOUVER - Jul 15/05 - SNS -- The failure of a mediator to resolve the strike by container truckers in the port of Vancouver could prompt the Canadian Special Crops Association to seek federal intervention.

In a memorandum to the industry, Executive Director Francois Catellier said, "The Vancouver Container Trucker discontinuation of service is approaching three weeks. The CSCA has reason to believe that if the mediator cannot make progress with both sides of this dispute, than the federal Government is looking at other alternatives to see trucked containerized traffic resume.

"If the truckers went back to work today, it would take 9 weeks (September 16th) to eliminate the backlog. Coupled with the fact that harvest will start in Saskatchewan in a couple of weeks, this spells major congestion for the Port of Vancouver. CSCA members are encouraged to divert special crops for stuffing to other ports of call."

To help the CSCA pursue the issue with the federal government and other parties, the association asked its members for information about how the strike is affecting their businesses. "We wish to (include) impact statements . . . . (and) therefore we need to know your horror stories -- missed vessels, canceled contracts, added costs of diverting, etc."

Meanwhile, Canada's courts are becoming involved in the dispute. Earlier in the week, Justice Ronald Holmes issued an order prohibiting people from gathering within 200 yards of either port gate site in Vancouver in an effort to mitigate against the increased number of violence incidents reported by entities involved in the dispute.