Canada含羞草研究社檚 grain farmers say a strike at Metro Vancouver terminals would cripple crop exports if it were allowed to take place.

The Grain Growers of Canada say in a statement that it is 含羞草研究社渄eeply concerned含羞草研究社� about a potential strike of grain workers in Metro Vancouver, since about 52 per cent of all Canadian-grown grain went to those terminals last year.

Grain farmers say a strike would 含羞草研究社渉alt nearly 100,000 metric tonnes含羞草研究社� of commodities arriving each day, potentially costing $35 million daily in lost exports.

The response comes after the union representing grain workers at terminals in Metro Vancouver said it has served their employer with a 72-hour strike notice.

The Grain Workers Union Local 333 says in a statement posted to Facebook that its strike will start at 7 a.m. Tuesday.

The Vancouver Terminal Elevators Association says affected operations include Viterra含羞草研究社檚 Cascadia and Pacific Terminals, Richardson International Terminal, Cargill Limited Terminal, G3 Terminal Vancouver and Alliance Grain Terminal, all located in Vancouver and North Vancouver.

含羞草研究社淕rain farmers in the prairies rely heavily on the Port of Vancouver to handle and export the majority of the grain they grow,含羞草研究社� the statement from the Grain Growers of Canada says. 含羞草研究社淔ollowing last month含羞草研究社檚 rail work stoppages, this strike will have an equally devastating impact on grain farmers across the prairies who are in the midst of harvest.含羞草研究社�

The group is also urging federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon to 含羞草研究社渦se all tools available含羞草研究社� to prevent a work stoppage from coming to pass.

含羞草研究社淲ithout intervention, Canada含羞草研究社檚 international trading reputation will continue to suffer, leading to the loss of key global markets and customers,含羞草研究社� the Grain Growers含羞草研究社� statement says.

Grain Workers Union Local 333 says the union含羞草研究社檚 bargaining committee made the decision to issue a strike notice after the Vancouver Terminal Elevators Association 含羞草研究社渋nvested very little effort含羞草研究社� during negotiations last week.

The union says it含羞草研究社檚 now up to the employer to present a proposal for a new contract, and workers have provided a 含羞草研究社渃omprehensive package含羞草研究社� last Thursday with the association indicating the next day it had no counter offer.

It含羞草研究社檚 statement says the union含羞草研究社檚 shop committees will advise members of their picketing duties before the start of the strike Tuesday morning.

含羞草研究社淵ou are required to leave the terminal at that time if you are working,含羞草研究社� the statement says to workers.

含羞草研究社淵our union will not bargain against itself,含羞草研究社� the grain workers statement says. 含羞草研究社淲e will await their proposal if, and when, it comes, and respond accordingly.含羞草研究社�

A statement issued by the Vancouver Terminal Elevators Association says it concluded conciliation with the union with assistance from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service on Aug. 26.

It says it could not come to an agreement on a new contract and the union has been in a legal strike position since last Tuesday.