Sask. leaders looking for an end to B.C. port strike

Saskatchewan’s premier wants the federal government to step in and start “exploring all options” to end a strike of more than 7,000 workers at ports in B.C.

The strike hit the one-week milestone Friday, and that morning Scott Moe called the strike “costly and economically damaging” in a statement shared on social media.

A little over two weeks ago, Saskatchewan Highways Minister Jeremy Cockrill and Trade and Export Minister Jeremy Harrison wrote a letter to their federal counterparts asking for urgent action to avoid such a strike.

The letter said that having efficient and reliable arrival of goods through the ports is “crucial to Saskatchewan’s reputation as a dependable trading province,” and noted that even a brief stoppage could have a major impact.

“A work stoppage of even a few days will have lasting effects on the supply chain that will take weeks to recover from,” read the letter.

The ministers went on to say efficient ports are important to Saskatchewan’s economy and the province’s ability to compete globally.

“We implore you to explore all possible avenues to prevent a labour disruption, as the consequences would be far-reaching and detrimental to the well-being of our province and the country as a whole,” the ministers wrote.

In a tweet, Cockrill said strain on the supply chain leads to additional costs, and the country is just starting to see how badly the strike is hurting the Canadian and North American economies.

Members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union have been off the jobs since Canada Day. They’re asking for better wages and provisions against contracting out and automation.

The BC Maritime Employers Association said it wants to get back to the table under a voluntary mediation-arbitration process.

–With files from the Canadian Press.