The action at Canada’s largest port is affecting a total of C$885m worth of cargo a week, and prime minister Stephen Harper has said it is a threat to the economy.
Around 1,000 non-union drivers walked off the job in February and they were joined by unionised truckers earlier this month.
The dispute centres on pay, including the truckers’ wages and the amount of unpaid time they spend waiting for cargo at container terminals.
After talks between the government and drivers last weekend failed the port has threatened to revoke drivers’ permits unless they return to work under the 14-point plan drawn up by BC and federal governments and the port to end the dispute.
According to Random Lengths, the backlog of timber cargoes at the port has prompted speculation that some mills may curtail production.
