The union representing hundreds of workers at the Port of Halifax is concerned over automation and what it may mean for the future.
The Halifax Longshormen’s Association Local 269 says PSA Halifax has purchased two container terminals in HRM to quadruple production over the next decade – with robots.
The two terminals are in the south end of Halifax as well as Fairview Cove.
The union has more than 700 members with thousands of support workers.
President Kevin Piper tells our newsroom they have good “tax paying jobs” that pay for our social programs and with automation, they are worried about the next generation.
“The Longshoremen union has been in place in Halifax since 1907 and we’ve employed thousands of people, and we’ve supported thousands of families over the years. And it would be, you know, a crying shame to have an outside multinational corporation come into Halifax and wipe all that away for the next 100 years.”
Piper adds the union is not against progress, but believe it comes down to profits.
“They can, you know, smoke and mirrors all they want. They’re concerned about their profits and their profits don’t stay in Canada. They’re profits head back to the motherland, back to Singapore to support their adventures around the world.”
Piper says the company, a subsidiary of Port of Singapore Authority, is the largest container operator in the world that plans on increasing volume in Halifax, without increasing the workforce.
What is the plan?
About eight months ago, PSA Halifax notified the union they would bring in semi-automated machinery to the south end terminal, according to Piper, to be operated from a remote location.
Piper tells us it would significantly reduce the amount of work their members would have, with the machine running about 95 per cent autonomous – and he feels it is a slippery slope.
“We were very up front with them. We are not interested in a semi-automated piece of machinery in Halifax. The problem, first of all is, if you can operate them from a mile away, you can operate them from 1000 miles away. So that doesn’t stop them from outsourcing those jobs to India or Bangladesh or wherever they choose.”
Taking a stand with a campaign
“Robots Don’t…Port Workers Do” is the union’s multimedia campaign.
The association says it is to help inform stakeholders, residents and elected officials of the “impending threat” to those who work at the waterfront, if PSA’s plans for automation go through.
Piper says Artificial Intelligence is such a hot topic, so they have received a lot of support.
“The support we’ve gotten is astounding. We have had a lot of support in and outside of the industry, because we see AI and automation in just about every aspect of our daily lives. You know, right from the grocery store up.”
Piper says their goal is to either stop automation from happening or guarantee there won’t be any job reductions.
The first stage is planned for early 2026.
PSA Halifax declined to comment.
