VANCOUVER, B.C. — A statement was released today from Robin Silvester, President and CEO of Port Metro Vancouver, addressing the strike that has suspended Canada’s largest port.
“All of us at Port Metro Vancouver recognize the ongoing trucking dispute has been a difficult time for truck drivers as well as the families and businesses that rely on the port,” the statement reads. “We agree truckers deserve fair compensation. We are also confident the 14-point Joint Action Plan as put forward by the federal and provincial governments, with Port Metro Vancouver, will deliver fair compensation.”
Silvester says the 14-point plan, which was announced on March 13, will kickstart the change that is “desperately needed in the container trucking industry.”
Port Metro Vancouver is not a part of the negotiations, nor does it employ truckers, but Silvester agrees terminal wait times can be improved and says they are working to make this happen.
Additionally, Silvester notes that Port Metro Vancouver is concerned about the reports of violence and vandalism involving the local truckers.
“This behaviour is unacceptable,” the statement reads. “Individuals who are participating in this type of activity should not expect to participate in the new licensing system.”
Silvester says Port Metro Vancouver is “ready to move ahead with the initiatives outlined in the 14-point Joint Action Plan, but implementation of the plan is contingent on truckers returning to work.”
You can read the full written statement
here.
All importer’s storage during the strike should be waived since it’s the problem between port and trucker should not bear by the importer. storage should not become the the profit of the port during the strike !