Port employees in Prince Rupert join West coast port workers in observance of Juneteenth

Terminal operations came to a stop today as Port workers in Prince Rupert
joined those along the coast to commemorate Juneteenth

Work on the West coast came to a standstill today as port workers in Prince Rupert joined those along the Pacific coast of North America to observe the end of slavery in the United States and recommit towards the fight against racism.

The call to stop work came from the ILWU earlier this week with the announcement of the plans for the suspension of operations for ports in Vancouver, with Prince Rupert's ILWU members also lending its support to the commemoration on the North Coast.

Juneteenth refers to June 19, 1865, when federal orders freed all enslaved people in Texas, one of the most remote and resistant of the Confederate states. Though the Emancipation Proclamation formally ended slavery more than two-and-a-half years prior, the freedom it declared was far from immediate. In fact, we still see in the United States systemic racism built into all levels of life to this day, and this must end!

Our history against racism goes back to the creation of our Union, when Harry Bridges went to black churches and promised black workers a place in our Union if they do not scab on us during work stoppages. This was an incredible act of solidarity by black workers, who were discriminated against in every walk of life, and who still chose to stand beside Longshore workers rather than take jobs they would otherwise be excluded from based on their race.

In a news release from the Prince Rupert Port Authority today, the Port took note of the importance of Juneteenth, as well as to call attention to the celebrations of National Indigenous Day in Canada of this coming Sunday.

This date, marking the end of slavery in the United States, is being observed by millions of people around the world. From 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., there will be a work stoppage at some terminals at the Port of Prince Rupert, as longshore workers stand in solidarity with other ILWU International members to acknowledge this solemn day. PRPA stands behind this demonstration and the global efforts to pause and acknowledge the significance of Juneteenth. 

 Now more than ever, it is important to take time to learn from the past, recognize that discrimination and hate has no place in our communities or workplaces, and declare that we are strongest when we work together to build a better future. As we commemorate Juneteenth, and celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, it is an opportunity for each of us to educate ourselves on the history of Indigenous, Black and other minorities in our communities, celebrate their contributions and cultures, and recognize that there is strength in diversity.

Port Movements stopped at 8AM today and resume with the start of the evening shift in Prince Rupert.

You can review both the ILWU statement and that of the Port of Prince Rupert below

Port of Prince Rupert

ILWU

Some notes on the day long work stoppage can be found below

Work stoppage in support of Juneteenth shuts down West Coast ports
Union workers shut down West Coast ports in support of Juneteenth



For more notes related to the Port of Prince Rupert see our archive page here.