Alberta farmers hit hard by final Vancouver grain strike Achi-News

Farmers across the country are bearing the brunt of the current grain terminal strike in Vancouver, including southern Alberta farmers, who say they are frustrated.

Alberta Grains Region 1 director Dave Bishop said producers are still recovering from last month’s rail strike.

“In farming we get one pay check a year – and that’s it now,” Bishop said. “It pays our bills, it puts money in the bank for next year’s crop. Now, it has been delayed again. It was delayed with the dual rail strike and now it is delayed with the terminal strike.

“It’s getting very, very frustrating.”

The Grain Workers Local Union 333 and its employer, the Vancouver Terminal Elevators Association, said they could not reach an agreement on a new contract.

Now that the strike is underway, grain farmers say they are losing millions of dollars in lost exports.

“For every day of disruption, it’s probably $50 million a day that comes out of the farmers’ pocket,” Bishop said.

A statement from Shannon Sereda, director of government relations, policy and markets for Alberta Grains, said the strike leaves farmers helpless, with no options to move their produce.

“Each day of unrest exacerbates delays, with rail services suspended and grain elevators full, leaving farmers unable to deliver their crops. This backlog threatens cash flow, grain quality, and Canada’s global reputation as a grain supplier.

“The knock-on effects could be devastating for our farmers and the entire grain industry.”

Bishop believes it is no coincidence that the union chose to strike during harvest – the most critical time of the year for farmers.

“It’s unfair to the Canadian economy, and to us as producers, to be held hostage [by the strike],” said Bishop.

The Alberta Grains director says both parties need to settle, and if they can’t, he hopes an arbitrator will step in.

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