The B.C. ports strike left drayage fleets with almost no work

In July 2023, a strike by longshore workers at British Columbia's ports left the province's drayage carriers with almost nothing to haul.

As of July 7, 2023, operations at the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert had been shut for more than 17 consecutive shifts. The B.C. Trucking Association (BCTA) said all container moves in and out of the ports had stopped.

Trucks parked

BCTA president Dave Earle said limited off-dock work was still being done but was "pretty slim" and shrinking. Most fleets and owner-operators were parked until the dispute was resolved. The BCTA did not comment on the negotiations themselves.

Tom Johnson, general manager of Vancouver-based Kimberly Transport, said at least 80% of his port drivers had run out of work and the company was rotating drivers off. He said loaded pulp containers were sitting in the company's yard, and customers were worried about the cost of diverting cargo through Seattle. Johnson said highway freight rates were already at an all-time low and the strike was making things worse.

The B.C. Maritime Employers Association estimated that $4.6 billion in cargo had potentially been disrupted, and said it had heard of layoffs in related industries.

Calls for back-to-work legislation

On July 5, the BCTA and the Canadian Trucking Alliance were among 120 associations that signed a letter asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to pass back-to-work legislation. ILWU Canada warned Ottawa not to intervene. The union's concerns included maintenance work being contracted out, port automation and the effect of inflation on its members.