Port of Montreal Strike Starts Monday, April 26

The Port of Montreal Longshoremen gave a 72-hour notice of an indefinite strike starting Monday, April 26th to the Maritime Employers Association (MEA). 

The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local (CUPE) 375, which represents over 1,100 longshoremen at Montreal’s port, said the full strike came as a response to MEA changing its regular schedules. Last week the longshoremen began a partial strike, refusing to work on weekends or to work overtime. That came in response to MEA suspending a guaranteed minimum pay.¹

MEA made the following statement on Twitter this morning:
“This morning, the MEA received a 72-hour notice of an indefinite general strike starting on Monday, April 26 from the union’s executive of the Port of Montreal Longshoremen. 

It is important to state that The MEA used the provisions of the Collective Agreement which allow it to switch to regular schedules in order to compensate the harmful effects of the current strike.

This decision from the union’s executive is very disappointing while the fluidity of the logistic chain remains crucial to the economic recovery. The MEA is currently evaluating all of its options. We are eager for a speedy settlement.”²

In August of last year, the Port of Montreal longshoremen launched a strike that lasted 12 days, which caused major disruption and delays to many shipments.

This is a developing story and we will continue to keep you updated.

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Source:
1. Montreal port longshoremen to strike on April 26, Today’s Trucking, April 23, 2021, Accessed April 23, 2021.
2. Association des employeurs maritimes Twitter account, Accessed April 23, 2021.