Labor Minister Leitch calls for continued discussions between Canadian National Railways and Unifor to end labour dispute. Minister Leitch encourages both sides to keep negotiating to avoid a strike or lockout.
Log shippers are stymied as Canadian truckers escalate a strike at the Port of Vancouver, where forestry products are 80% of the volume. The Canada government has entered the fray. Truckers complain of long waits.
Hardwood export disruptions from most ports on the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf Coast were avoided as the International Longshoremen and U.S. Maritime Alliance reached a tentative contract deal Dec. 28.