Labour Deal ensures flow of grain will continue through Port of Prince Rupert

There will be no disruption to the flow of grain
in Prince Rupert with a tentative deal reached 
today between ILWU officials and SGS Canada

Today was scheduled to be the start of labour action for members of ILWU 522 which had set November 4th as a potential strike date as they expressed frustration with the pace of negotiations with SGS Canada, the global inspection, verification, testing and certification company organization which operates at the Prince Rupert Grain facility on Ridley Island.

However, after extensive bargaining over the last few days, a tentative agreement has been secured between the union and company officials heading off any labour disruption at the busy west coast ports of Prince Rupert and Vancouver.

Few details have been released about the deal, with ILWU Local 522 President Rob Ashton issuing a short message of congratulations today to the labour force at the grain handling facilities.

ILWU Local 522 has secured a tentative agreement with SGS in Prince Rupert and Vancouver and the strike in Prince Rupert has been officially called off for November 4, 2020, 

This is a first agreement for these workers. 

On behalf of the bargaining team I congratulate the Workers. In Strength and Solidarity, 

Rob Ashton, President

As of the end of September, the Prince Rupert Port Authority has reported that 2,803,637 tonnes of grain have passed through the facility at Prince Rupert Grain, down slightly from volumes of 2019.

For more notes related to Grain operations in Prince Rupert see our archive page here.