If the union representing 1,200 longshoremen at the Port of Montreal rejects the final offer proposed Thursday to end the impasse in labour negotiations, the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) has threatened to launch a lockout that will virtually shut down Canada’s second biggest port.
This would radically disrupt supply chain and port operations beyond the “unlimited strike” by dockers since October 31 that has uniquely targeted Termont, whose two terminals handle 40% of Montreal’s container cargo. Railway services to and from the port were suspended earlier this week.
The MEA said it has asked CUPE Local 375 for a reply to its offer by 8.00 pm Sunday. In the absence of an agreement “only essential services and activities unrelated to longshoring will continue at the Port of Montreal from 9pm on Sunday November 10.”
The federal mediation services convoked the two sides to review the situation this morning (Friday), and no details were immediately available. The current collective agreement expired on December 31, 2023.
But a source close to the negotiations told Maritime Magazine “the union is not likely this weekend to accept the offer on the basis of previous responses.”
The MEA’s final offer provides for a 3% salary increase per year for four years and a 3.5% increase for the two subsequent years, retroactive to the beginning of 2024. When the contract expires, the total average compensation of a longshore worker at the Port of Montréal will be more than $200,000 per year. The proposed increases will also apply to the current pension plan and benefits.
The MEA indicated it agrees to this significant compensation increase in view of the availability required from its employees. “It does, however, require longshore workers to provide at least one hour’s notice of absence instead of one minute before a shift. This measure will reduce absence management issues, which have a major effect on daily operations.”
Close to $400 million in goods pass through the Port of Montréal per day, generating $268 million in economic activity.
Dozens of business and maritime players across Canada, including the Montreal Port Authority, have called on the federal government to intervene quickly to end the waterfront labour conflict.
The MEA said it was willing to collaborate on any initiative proposed by the Minister of Labour to reach a satisfactory agreement between the parties as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the MEA has pointed out that with the exception of the bulk sector and essential services, container handling operations at the Port of Montréal are experiencing a major slowdown. As a result of the work stoppages and significant drop in volume, these activities require only 45 longshore workers to complete the tasks on the docks.
“The MEA continues to apply mitigation measures to limit the effects of the longshore workers’ multiple strikes, which are ongoing at the Port of Montréal and affect not only operations, but also, more importantly, public safety and the entire Québec and Canadian economy by depriving thousands of businesses and consumers of essential goods,” the MEA affirmed.
(Port of Montreal photo)
