On July 13, the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year deal with the union representing more than 7,000 dockworkers at West Coast ports in Canada. The workers have been on strike since July 1, halting operations at more than 30 West Coast ports.

The tentative agreement is subject to ratification by both BCMEA and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada, and subsequently, details of the agreement will not be released at this time, BCMEA officials said in a news release.

“In partnership with our member employers, the BCMEA is committed to working closely with ILWU Canada and their Locals and supply chain partners to safely resume operations as soon as possible,” BCMEA officials said.

We must collectively work together to not only restore cargo operations as quickly and safely as possible but to also rebuild the reputation of Canada’s largest gateway and ensure supply chain stability and resilience for the future.

The National Retail Federation’s Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said in a July 7 news release that “the port strike affecting Vancouver and Prince Rupert shouldn’t have a major impact here but could affect some U.S. retailers whose merchandise comes in through Canada and could have a potential ripple effect at other ports.”