Talks to avert strike at Canada's Westshore coal terminal continue

Westshore Terminals Investment

17/12/2020 19:25

TORONTO, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Talks to avert the shutdown of a
key coal export terminal on Canada's West Coast continued
Thursday after a union notice said strike action against
terminal owner Westshore Terminals Investment Corp  WTE.TO 
could commence on Saturday.
    Westshore said Wednesday its Westshore Terminals Limited
Partnership received a 72-hour strike notice from ILWU Local
502, which represents workers at its coal export terminal at
Roberts Bank, British Columbia.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nFWN2IW0Z3
    The company said it has been in negotiations with the union
for several months over a new collective agreement after a
previous agreement and two others expired Jan. 31. 
    While further talks are scheduled, the strike notice will
stop work on Dec. 19 resulting in the complete suspension of
operations, the company said.
    The company and a union representative did not respond to a
request for comment Thursday. 
    The terminal has throughput capacity of 33 million tonnes,
according to its website. 
    It is key for Teck Resources'  TECKb.TO  coal volumes as the
Canadian miner's own Neptune terminal is not expected to be
completed until the end of the first quarter next year,
Scotiabank analysts said Thursday in a note.
    Teck did not immediately respond to an email seeking
comment.
    The miner is seeking to boost shipments of steelmaking coal
to China next year to take advantage of curbs on Australian
imports.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL1N2IH1Q1 

 (Editing by xxxxx)
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