The BC Maritime Employers Association said it would lock out workers on Monday at Canada's Port of Vancouver after a negotiating deadline passed, potentially disrupting exports of coal, potash and beef.

Maritime employers in British Columbia will lock out more than 730 dock foremen across Canada's West Coast ports Monday afternoon, straining activity at major ports on both sides of the country. The lockout would severely hamper operations at West Coast ports including Vancouver and Prince Rupert,

The lockout comes after the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Ship & Dock Foremen Local 514, which represents about 730 workers at ports including Vancouver and Prince Rupert, gave a 72-hour advance notice on Thursday of a walkout starting at 8 a.