Longshoremen issue notice of partial strike at Port of Montreal
April 13, 2021On April 10, 2021, the union executive of the Port of Montreal Longshoremen issued a 72-hour notice of an indefinite strike to the Maritime Employers Association (MEA).
The planned pressure tactics – namely the stopping of overtime work, docking activities, training and weekend work – are being presented as a response to the cessation of payment for the hours that are not worked.
This indefinite strike places the Montreal port industry in a precarious situation. This decision by the union will very quickly cause significant congestion and will have a major impact on the fluidity of the logistics chain, therefore undermining the economic recovery in Quebec and Canada.
The MEA is currently evaluating all of its options. They are eager for a speedy settlement and remain ready to continue the negotiations as soon as we are summoned by the mediators. RCC and other industry associations continue to work together in an effort to apply pressure to both parties so that a resolution can be found.