CUPE 375, the union representing longshore workers at the Port of Montreal, issued a new strike notice on Monday morning for October 31 that affects workers at the Termont Corporation, which operates the Maisonneuve Terminal and the new Viau Terminal. The Maisonneuve Terminal handles over 500,000 TEU of containerised cargo per year, and with the second terminal, Termont aims to increase its capacity to over one million TEU.

The latest strike notice arises from the lack of an agreement between the union and the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) on a new labour contract and work scheduling, as workers advocate for a better work-life balance. CUPE 375 said that Termont is being targeted because “it is the only company at the Port of Montreal to modify (work) schedules in a punitive way.”

“Termont is provoking longshore workers and their local by using schedules that have negative impacts on work-life balance. If we reach a permanent agreement on this issue, we could avoid a strike set to begin on October 31. Let’s resolve the issues around work schedules, and then I am confident we can resolve the rest,” said Michel Murray, CUPE representative.

According to the union, the strike would affect 15% of the total volume handled at the Port of Montreal — which is 40% of container traffic.

“We strongly encourage that you pick up your import containers before 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30, ” Termont said on its website commenting on the impact of the announced strike. “Termont will offer a gate service at both terminals Maisonneuve and Viau until 10:00 PM. Truckers are required to register their transactions at the Portal entrance, Port of Montreal (section 74 / pregate) before 10:00 p.m. This procedure ensures service to truckers inside our terminals by our operation teams before 11:00 p.m.”

Longshore workers have been without a collective agreement since December 31, 2023. The union has staged several strikes in recent months, including a 24-hour strike on October 27 that halted all operations at the Port of Montreal, a three-day strike in September and an indefinite overtime strike which has been in place since early October. The union said on Monday that while carrying its most recent 24-hour strike, union members held an extraordinary general meeting, and voted in favour of a special contribution to provide financial support to the 320 workers affected by the partial strike.

“Longshore workers are ready to sit at the bargaining table. We are waiting to be invited and we have solutions in mind, but the other party must also be in solution mode,” said Murray.

During the indefinite strike, all Port of Montreal terminals remain open, but longshoremen are not working overtime, which is expected to result in processing delays and a backlog of containers. The port estimates the overtime strike will slow down or disrupt the handling of around 50% of goods transiting through the Port of Montreal, both imports and exports.

“The Montreal Port Authority remains concerned about the impact of pressure tactics on the logistics chain and on the supply of goods and commodities for businesses and the public,” the port said in its latest update.

CUPE 375, the union representing longshore workers at the Port of Montreal, issued a new strike notice on Monday morning for October 31 that affects workers at the Termont Corporation, which operates the Maisonneuve Terminal and the new Viau Terminal. The Maisonneuve Terminal handles over 500,000 TEU of containerised cargo per year, and with the second terminal, Termont aims to increase its capacity to over one million TEU.

The latest strike notice arises from the lack of an agreement between the union and the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) on a new labour contract and work scheduling, as workers advocate for a better work-life balance. CUPE 375 said that Termont is being targeted because “it is the only company at the Port of Montreal to modify (work) schedules in a punitive way.”

“Termont is provoking longshore workers and their local by using schedules that have negative impacts on work-life balance. If we reach a permanent agreement on this issue, we could avoid a strike set to begin on October 31. Let’s resolve the issues around work schedules, and then I am confident we can resolve the rest,” said Michel Murray, CUPE representative.

According to the union, the strike would affect 15% of the total volume handled at the Port of Montreal — which is 40% of container traffic.

“We strongly encourage that you pick up your import containers before 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30, ” Termont said on its website commenting on the impact of the announced strike. “Termont will offer a gate service at both terminals Maisonneuve and Viau until 10:00 PM. Truckers are required to register their transactions at the Portal entrance, Port of Montreal (section 74 / pregate) before 10:00 p.m. This procedure ensures service to truckers inside our terminals by our operation teams before 11:00 p.m.”

Longshore workers have been without a collective agreement since December 31, 2023. The union has staged several strikes in recent months, including a 24-hour strike on October 27 that halted all operations at the Port of Montreal, a three-day strike in September and an indefinite overtime strike which has been in place since early October. The union said on Monday that while carrying its most recent 24-hour strike, union members held an extraordinary general meeting, and voted in favour of a special contribution to provide financial support to the 320 workers affected by the partial strike.

“Longshore workers are ready to sit at the bargaining table. We are waiting to be invited and we have solutions in mind, but the other party must also be in solution mode,” said Murray.

During the indefinite strike, all Port of Montreal terminals remain open, but longshoremen are not working overtime, which is expected to result in processing delays and a backlog of containers. The port estimates the overtime strike will slow down or disrupt the handling of around 50% of goods transiting through the Port of Montreal, both imports and exports.

“The Montreal Port Authority remains concerned about the impact of pressure tactics on the logistics chain and on the supply of goods and commodities for businesses and the public,” the port said in its latest update.