Business groups say the work stoppage at British Columbia ports is the latest in a series of supply chain disruptions affecting Canadian businesses and the country’s economy.

Employers at most of the province’s ports locked out their workers Monday in a dispute involving about 700 unionized supervisors.

Workers represented by Local 514 of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union have been without a contract since March 2023.

On Friday, the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters said the disruption would shut down cargo operations at the province’s ports, which it said are essential to the movement of manufactured goods.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce said Monday that significant work disruptions are becoming too common and are tarnishing Canada’s reputation as a reliable trading partner.

The disruption comes less than a year and a half after a 13-day strike at the same port, and just months after a nationwide work stoppage at Canada’s two largest railway companies.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published November 5, 2024.

Rosa Saba, The Canadian Press