Union and non-union truck drivers at Port Metro Vancouver today were reviewing the 14-point action plan that was recently developed with assistance from the Canadian federal government and British Columbia provincial government, but the striking truck drivers were showing no indication of returning to work.

Truck traffic at Canada’s largest port today remained at about 24 percent of normal levels, which is similar to the volumes recorded since the strike began almost two weeks ago. With cargo backing up on the docks, a quick end to the strike is necessary or vessel diversions could result, said port spokesman John Parker-Jervis.

Port Metro Vancouver electronically delivered the action plan to all of the harbor trucking companies that serve the port, as well as the approximately 2,000 drivers in the harbor. As of early afternoon today, the port authority had not heard back either from Unifor, which represents unionized truck drivers, or the United Truckers Association, whose members are mostly owner-operators.

The port authority and government agencies in Canada said that the action plan they developed with the assistance of federal mediator Vince Ready addresses the major issues that precipitated the strike, including pay, fuel surcharges, congestion at marine terminals and enforcement of trucker appointment systems at the marine terminals.

Implementation of some measures will begin as soon as the drivers return to work, while other measures that require further study are scheduled to be phased in over the next few months.

Port Metro Vancouver controls the terminal licensing system that has been in effect since a six-week trucker strike in 2005 crippled the port. In order to gain access to marine terminals, a truck driver must have a valid license issued by the port authority.

The port has indicated that it has the authority to revoke the licenses of those drivers who do not return to work promptly after reviewing the action plan.

Marine terminal operators and at least two shipping lines have advised their customers that because of a severe cargo backlog at the port, they will begin early next week to reject imported containers destined for the Vancouver area. Intermodal rail cargo and exports will continue to be accepted at the terminals.

------FM JOC