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‘Indefinite’ Strike at Port of Montreal

[ November 1, 2024   //   Gary G Burrows ]

An indefinite strike began 11 a.m. Halloween morning at the Port of Montreal’s Viau and Maisonneuve terminals, by the Canadian Public Employees Union (CUPE) Local 375, the longshore workers’ union.
The two Termont-operated terminals are closed, with no rail, truck or ship services provided, paralyzing about 15 percent of total volume and 40 percent of the port’s total container handling capacity. Ships and trains have resorted to other routes, the Montreal Port Authority said.
Port of Montreal terminals remaining operational are the Bickerdike, Cast, Racine and CanEst container terminals; Logistec’s Montreal and Contrecœur dry bulk terminals; the liquid bulk terminals, and the Viterra grain terminal.
CUPE, in its strike notice Oct. 28, said Termont is targeted because it is “provoking longshore workers and their local by using schedules that have negative impacts on work-life balance.”
Union members took part in an extraordinary general meeting Oct. 27 during an earlier 24-hour strike at the Port of Montreal. Workers supported the strike notice and voted in favor of a special contribution to provide financial support to the 320 workers affected by the partial strike.
Longshore workers have been without a collective agreement since Dec. 31, 2023.
“We are all aware of how crucial operations at the Port of Montreal are, and the vital role they play not only for Quebec, but also for the rest of Canada,” said Julie Gascon, president and CEO of the Port of Montreal. “The need to reach an agreement quickly is acute and cannot be ignored.”
“Longshore workers are ready to sit at the bargaining table,” said Michel Murray, a CUPE representative. We are waiting to be invited, and we have solutions in mind, but the other party must also be in solution mode.”

Tags: Port of Montreal