Port workers to strike in Montreal

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Published: September 27, 2024

Aerial view of the eastern section of the Port of Montreal

Workers at two Montreal port facilities are set to hold a three-day strike starting Sept. 30, announced federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon on social media Friday.

“The Port of Montréal is critical to our supply chains. I am following this situation very closely,” said MacKinnon on the X platform. He said the SCFP/CUPE union issued a strike notice running from Sept. 30 at 7:00 a.m. until Oct. 3 at 6:59 a.m.

The CUPE Longshoremen’s Union, Local 375, filed a notice with the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) at Friday morning for a three-day strike at the Viau and Maisonneuve container terminals operated by Termont Montreal beginning Monday.

Read Also

Port workers to strike in Montreal

Canada seeks pact with Southeast Asian countries to diversify trade

Canada is seeking to finalize a free trade deal with Southeast Asian nations as part of a push to expand into new markets, its top diplomat said, responding to the hefty tariffs imposed on it by the United States, its neighbour and largest trade partner.

The Montreal Port Authority has activated its business continuity plan. “For the time being, we intend to concentrate our efforts on ensuring that port operations are affected as little as possible, and we hope that the parties will quickly agree on a way out, as the uncertainty surrounding our activities will have a domino effect, both on importers and exporters who rely on the transportation of goods, and on the general public,” said Montreal Port Authority president and CEO Julie Gascon in a release.

The Viau and Maisonneuve terminals account for 41 per cent of all container traffic at the Port of Montreal.

Earlier this week, over 1,200 dockworkers at the Port of Montreal represented by CUPE voted 98 per cent in favour of strike action “if a fair deal can’t be reached with their employer,” said CUPE in a statement.

Wage increases on pace with the cost of living are a major issue, with work-life balance also highlighted by the union.

About the author

Phil Franz-Warkentin

Phil Franz-Warkentin

Editor - Daily News

Phil Franz-Warkentin grew up on an acreage in southern Manitoba and has reported on agriculture for over 20 years. Based in Winnipeg, his writing has appeared in publications across Canada and internationally. Phil is a trusted voice on the Prairie radio waves providing daily futures market updates. In his spare time, Phil enjoys playing music and making art.

explore

Stories from our other publications