Report on BC Port Turmoil Backs Right to Strike, Rebuffing Essential-Service Calls

Gantry cranes used to load and unload cargo containers from ships sit idle during a strike by International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers in the province, as the downtown skyline and houses are seen in Vancouver, on July 12, 2023. The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

The right of workers to strike and employers to lock them out should be preserved for the longshore industry in Canada, say labour experts tasked with studying the 2023 British Columbia port strike that froze trade worth billions for almost two weeks.

Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers say laws should be changed to allow a special mediator to be brought in during disputes, and workers should formalize negotiating collectively rather than allowing a union to have separate conversations with each operator.