Canadians are flocking to Walmart due to concerns about potential supply shortages.
According to reports, there’s been rising anxiety among consumers regarding potential disruptions in supply chains, largely driven by strikes affecting U.S. dockworkers at major ports.
The strikes have prompted fears of shortages in essential goods, leading to panic buying as customers rush to stock up on items like water, toilet paper, and other necessities.
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) is the union behind the strike against its United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) employers for a new master contract.
The two groups negotiated back and forth up until late Monday night, when the union’s deadline for a strike expired at midnight.
Major issues on the bargaining table are wages, benefits and rules on port automation. The ILA said USMX’s latest reported wage increase proposal of 50% over six years of a new contract was rejected by its members.
A prolonged strike could cause major disruption to the domestic supply chain.
Officials for Walmart said they prepare for any potential disruptions to their supply chain.
“We prepare for unforeseen disruptions in our supply chain and maintain additional sources of supply to ensure we have key products available for our customers when and how they want them,” Jeffrey Essary, a global communications spokesperson for Walmart, said to the media.
