On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, Journal of Commerce staff writer Evan Saunders speaks with Independent Contractors and Businesses Association president Chris Gardner about the ongoing strike at the Port of Vancouver and the consequences for both national and local supply chains and for the Lower Mainland’s construction industry.
Gardner detailed how supply chain disruption will delay projects and emphasized the national implications of the port strike action, comparing the effects of the 2021 floods and how that temporary shutdown of the port led to action to restore access compared with stalled negotiations and lack of government action regarding the current circumstances.
Digital media editor Warren Frey also spoke with news editor Lindsey Cole for this episode’s news segment, including a story about skyrocketing costs to rescue a micro-tunneling boring machine which is stuck under Old Mill Drive in Toronto. Lindsey also speaks to a recent article about Jamie McMillan of KickAss Careers who is expanding her trade advocacy with the Made in the Trades brand to better educate corporate audiences on the value and importance of trades careers.
Warren also gives some background on the Port of Vancouver strike, which began on July 1 and involves close to 7,400 members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada walking off the job. Key issues include jurisdiction over maintenance work at terminals as well as improved wages, automation concerns and language to prevent contracting out.
You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music’s podcast section. Our previous episode featuring with Katy Fairley of Fairley Strategies and Terry Brown of STBR Consulting is here. Thanks for listening.
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