National Farmers Union supports negotiated settlement at the Port of Vancouver

Hanley, SK – The National Farmers Union (NFU) is standing in solidarity with Port of Vancouver Grain Workers Union members (Local 333) who are exercising the fundamental right of organized labour to strike to advance their collective bargaining demands, including fair wages and good working conditions. Intense bargaining started in November 2023. Nearly a year later negotiations with the Vancouver Terminal Elevator Association (VTEA) reached an impasse, and with VTEA’s unresponsiveness to their communications, the GWU initiated strike action. 

“As grain farmers, we recognize how disruptive labour action is at this critical season for grain shipments,” said National Farmers Union member, Cam Goff.  “But the elevator companies involved include Cargill, Viterra, G3 and Richardson – the world’s largest, most profitable grain companies who can easily afford to pay fair prices for our grain and pay workers fairly for their labour. This work stoppage will remind everyone of the critical role workers play in getting our grain to market. It has always been our position that a negotiated settlement is best, and we hope they will reach a fair agreement quickly. ”

The VTEA members are Cascadia Terminal (owned 75% by Viterra and 25% by Richardson International), Pacific Terminal (Viterra), Richardson International Terminal, Cargill Limited Terminal, G3 Terminal Vancouver (Owned by Bunge and SALIC) and Alliance Grain Terminal (Paterson GlobalFoods, Parrish & Heimbecker and North West Terminal).

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For more information:

Cam Goff, Saskatchewan grain farmer and NFU member:  306-222-3514, (306) 544-2790 or c.b.goff@sasktel.net

Will Robbins, NFU Region 6 (Saskatchewan) Board member: 306-652-6019 or werobbins@gmail.com