A global trade analyst says a potential strike for thousands of terminal cargo movers in ports throughout B-C could have dire consequences, not only for the Canadian economy, but globally as well.

Beacon Economics international trade adviser Jock O’Connell says the timing of a possible strike at B-C ports coincides with ongoing labour strife at West Coast ports in the United States, as disputes between port officials and the longshore union’s American counterpart disrupted terminal operations in places such as Oakland and Long Beach in California.

He says a combination of disruptions at B-C and U-S ports would seriously damage the West Coast’s role in global shipping, and exporters would look to ports on the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico as more reliable options. 

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada says more than seven-thousand terminal cargo movers will hold the strike vote on Friday and Saturday.

(Canadian Press)