VANCOUVER — Port Metro Vancouver has issued a statement indicating that a handful of independent truckers on the verge of striking have overstated the impact a walkout will have on Vancouver port operations.

The port points out that the labor standoff affects about 140 truck owner-operators, represented by the CAW, working for only three out of nearly 200 port-licensed trucking companies.

Although the trucker group issued indicated a strike scheduled for May 4 has the potential to cause "considerable disruption," Port Metro Vancouver points out that striking on port property is illegal.

If owner/operators strike Port Metro Vancouver property, they will be in non-compliance with the port’s Truck Licensing System and the port will cancel their permits," a statement read. "Truck operators and owner/operators represented by CAW Local 2006 may strike their employer. Should picketing occur, it would be at their place of work, not port facilities."

The union later issued its own statement clarifying that any labor demonstration would take place off-site.

VCTA-CAW Local 2006 representative Steve Sutherland said that while some of the largest trucking companies have ratified new collective agreements, Pacific Transportation Group and Port-Team Transport have so far refused to negotiate a contract.

At issue, is the trip rate dealing with the short distance movement of empty containers.