Tentative deal reached in Metro Vancouver grain strike: federal minister

Canada's labour minister has announced that striking grain terminal workers in Metro Vancouver and their employers have reached a tentative labour agreement.

Steven MacKinnon shared the news on social media platform X, stating that a deal had been reached between the Grain Workers Union Local 333 and the Vancouver Terminal Elevators’ Association. However, no further details were provided.

In a statement on Facebook, the union confirmed the tentative agreement and noted that members would vote on ratification by October 4. The union also stated that picket lines were to be removed on Saturday, with workers returning to their jobs pending the vote. This move brings an end to the strike that had disrupted grain shipments from Metro Vancouver's port.

Earlier in the week, around 600 workers had walked off the job, causing picket lines to form at six grain terminals across Metro Vancouver.

Canadian grain producers had called for a swift resolution to the strike, pointing out that about 52 percent of the country’s grain exports passed through these terminals last year. Farmers warned that the strike, occurring during harvest season, could result in up to $35 million in lost exports per day.

Negotiations had stalled on Friday after two days of talks, with the Western Grain Elevator Association stating that they had reached the limit of their financial capacity in their final offer. The group had been waiting for the federally appointed mediator to update MacKinnon on the situation.

In his tweet, MacKinnon commended both parties for doing “the work necessary to get a deal done.”