The ongoing B.C. port workers’ strike reached Richmond’s Mitchell Island on Thursday afternoon.
The Richmond News came across a group of workers gathered on the side of a road on the industrial swathe of land in the north arm of the Fraser River.
The province-wide strike was kicked off on the weekend by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Canada after negotiations over wages, contracting out and automation reached an impasse.
Around 20 workers, many of whom were wearing T-shirts saying “Injury to one is injury to all,” gathered outside the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) Mitchell Island Waterfront Training Centre.
They were also holding signs saying “On strike against BC Maritime Employers Association.”
One of the workers told the News the centre provides training to port workers but refused to provide more information.
The strike has entered its sixth day and involves about 7,400 workers at more than 30 ports in B.C.
ILWU president Rob Ashton issued a public statement Thursday pointing out the challenges labour workers face including unguaranteed shifts, long work hours and high rates of injury.
A BCMEA spokesperson, however, responded and called the allegations “baseless, without merit and unhelpful in reaching an agreement.”
