Tug Strike Possibility Looms in Vancouver

Unions representing members working for Seaspan, one of the two tug companies serving the port of Vancouver, are meeting today and tomorrow, June 3 and 4, to vote on whether to take strike action, GAC reported in its daily Hot Port News report.

If the vote – expected June 4 at the earliest – is in favor of strike action, the strike can begin 72 hours after notice is served, which could be as soon as Saturday, June 7.

GAC said that if the strike takes place, the port’s other tug company Smit Tug will handle vessel operations in Vancouver Harbor with some delays, but it will not be able to handle coal vessel loading at Westshore Temrinal in Roberts Bank.

gac.com