Negotiations resumed early today, with federal mediator presence, between the union representing dockers at the Port of Montreal and the Maritime Employers Association )MEA). The existing collective agreement expired on December 31, 2023.

Early Thursday, Local 375 of the CUPE union ended a three-day strike that was restricted to the two container terminals operated by Termont. It was business as usual at other terminals at Canada’s second biggest container port after Vancouver.

The Viau and Maisonneuve terminals operated by Termont handle about 40% of Montreal’s total container cargo and employ some 350 out of the port’s 1,120 longshore workers.

 Union spokesman Michel Murray told a press conference last Friday the union would be prepared to lift the strike notice if Termont was willing to address two issues. One concerned the use of senior foremen during operations that has been greatly reduced. The other involved scheduling that was not supposed to be used frequently but has allegedly been abused by Termont.

Among its demands with all maritime employers, the union is reportedly seeking a 20% wage increase over four years and a better work-life balance.

On Wednesday October 2, the MEA issued a statement reiterating that its priority “remains a negotiated settlement” but expressed  frustration that “clearly the current mediation process in no longer producing results.”

Without further details, it added: “We are currently evaluating all the options available to arrive at a sustainable solution that reflects the reality of the situation.”

(Port of Montreal photo)