Mar.21--THE British Columbia provincial government was preparing back-to-work legislation to bring an end to the two-week-old strike by container truck drivers in the Port of Vancouver.

 

The legislation will include a 90-day cooling off period and could be introduced on Monday, reported CBC News. The strike is in protest of long waiting times and terminals.

 

Meanwhile, ocean carriers are diverting cargo from Vancouver to US ports in the Pacific Northwest, according to US Customs and Border Protection, reports American Shipper.

 

The back-to-work order will only affect the 250 unionised truckers who belong to Unifor-VCTA. The order does not cover non-unionised truckers, who are also on strike.

 

The port authority will introduce truck licensing reforms as part of the 14-point plan presented to the truckers by both the federal and provincial governments.

 

Port Metro Vancouver says it will also begin to implement its planned reform of the truck licensing system at the port as part of the 14-point plan presented to the truckers.

 

But the plan was rejected by the truckers who were told that any questions they had about it could only be raised when they returned to work. The port also renewed its threat to cancel access licences for striking drivers.

 

US Customs said in an automated message to importers and trade service providers that container lines have submitted requests to shift vessel calls and offload cargo destined to Vancouver to ports such as Seattle and Tacoma. 

 

Cargo could then be moved up to Vancouver by truck or rail or carriers could make a request to redeliver the cargo directly to a US destination. More than 95 per cent of Vancouver imports are Canada-bound. 

 

Diverting carriers and shippers were warned that all US security and trade laws will be enforced for rerouted cargo, including the requirement that an Importer Security Filing be filed in advance. 

 

Vancouver has the most stringent licensing system for delivery drivers in North America. The licences are required to access the port and are conditional on truckers meeting environmental, safety and security standards, said American Shipper. 

 

"The licensing system was established in part to limit competition for loads at the port and help maintain higher piece rates following strikes in 1999 and 2005," said the report.

 

(Source:shippingazette)