The association representing West Coast marine terminal operators said it will lock out members of its forepersons’ union at 9 a.m. Monday morning. The group calls it a “defensive action” following a strike notice from the union, to allow an orderly shutdown rather than the walkout the union has threatened. Cruise ships and grain freighters would keep operating, but all other cargo traffic would stop. Two container terminals at the Port of Montreal are already closed indefinitely in a separate strike. (The Logic)

Talking point: The union in the West Coast action represents supervisors, a different group from those who went on strike in B.C. in 2023. The B.C. Maritime Employers Association represents terminal operators up and down the coast, from Victoria to Alaska. That could  disrupt trade: the Port of Vancouver alone handles about $300 billion worth of cargo a year. Business groups have called for the federal government to force intractable disputes to arbitration so supply chains aren’t interrupted.