MEA renews call for mediation with Montreal longshore union

Maritime Employers Association (MEA) is asking the Canadian Minister of Labour and Seniors, Steven MacKinnon, to appoint a special mediator to help hammer out an agreement with the longshore workers at the Port of Montreal on a new labour contract by December 3, 2024. The latest mediation call comes just a week after the union rejected the latest mediation proposal from the minister.

“Discussions over the past few hours have failed to bring the union back to the table in a constructive manner. The Longshoremen’s union is therefore preparing to launch an unlimited general strike at the Viau and Maisonneuve terminals operated by TerMont, starting at 11 a.m. on Thursday. This pressure tactic will quickly lead to major operational upheavals, jeopardising the operations of several companies, as well as the financial health of the MEA, which is already coping with declining volumes,” MEA said on October 29.

As WorldCargo News reported on Tuesday, llongshore workers at the Port of Montreal plan to launch an indefinite strike on 31 October targeting Termont, which operates the Maisonneuve Terminal and the new Viau Terminal. The latest strike notice arises from the lack of an agreement between the union and 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.”

The Port of Montreal said that as of October 31, the Viau and Maisonneuve terminals will be closed until further notice. “Access will be prohibited, and no rail, truck or ship services will be provided,” the port said.

All other Port of Montreal terminals will remain in service:
– Bickerdike, Cast, Racine and CanEst container terminals
– Logistec dry bulk terminals (Montreal and Contrecoeur)
– Liquid bulk terminals
– Grain terminal (Viterra)

“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 noted.

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.