Montreal’s logistics and transportation business cluster, CargoM, today joined other industry circles in calling for an immediate intervention by the federal government in the waterfront labour conflict at the Port of Montreal by facilitating and accelerating negotiations between striking longshore workers and the Maritime Employers Association. Dockers launched an “indefinite” strike on Monday of this week following a series of work stoppages since early July. 

“These pressure tactics are seriously impacting the supply chain in Greater Montreal supply chain and throughout Quebec and Ontario,” CargoM said. “Both this strike and the pressure tactics used jeopardize the proper functioning of the supply chain, and they pose significant risks to our economy and to maintaining several essential services such as the transportation of food staples and medical products.”

CargoM underlined the already difficult year caused by the rail blockade early in 2020 plus the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This instability is a real threat to competitiveness with the large hubs on the U.S. East Coast,” it declared, adding: “This situation jeopardizes the economic sector of logistics and freight transport, which in Greater Montreal alone, accounts for over 70,000 direct jobs, 50,000 indirect jobs and 6,000 businesses. More than 110 million consumers served by our supply chain are experiencing the negative consequences caused by this strike and these pressure tactics.”

“This walkout has not only serious economic repercussions, but also environmental repercussions. To meet customer demands, companies must quickly find alternatives to bridge our supply chain’s fluidity. Resorting to alternatives to the detriment of our supply chain increases travel times increase, which in turn hikes the cost of transporting goods and considerably increases greenhouse gas emissions,” said Mathieu Charbonneau, Executive Director of CargoM. (photo CUPE 375)