BC is bracing for a labour disruption at all ports as a province wide lockout of more than 700 unionized foremen is expected to begin as of 8 AM this morning.

    

The lockout, which was initiated by the BC Maritime Employers Association, comes after nearly two years of bargaining with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 to renew their collective agreement that expired in March 2023.

    

On Thursday, the union issued a 72 hour notice for job action that would begin Monday at 8 AM.

    

The move prompted the employers association to issue a formal notice that it will ``defensively'' lock out members of the union starting at the same time