VANCOUVER, B.C. — Grain handlers at the Port of Vancouver will be returning to work following a four-month lockout, but first they will be laid off until rail cars and vessels are lined up.

A mediator was brought in to negotiate an agreement between the B.C. Terminal Elevator Operators Association and management at five grain terminals, which employ 650 grain handlers. Since August, the workers have been laid off and grain was being re-directed through the Prince Rupert Port.

The lockout provided a hiccup in the grain supply chain but it’s expected things will be back to normal at the Vancouver Port within a few days.

It was originally feared the lockout would have a far greater effect on grain transporters, however the Prairie drought resulted in less grain being moved to begin with.