By Leo Ryan, Editor
The St. Lawrence Seaway, a vital maritime trade corridor linking the Atlantic Ocean to the industrial heartland of North America, could be closed to all traffic as 00.01 on Sunday should the 361 Canadian unionized workers seeking especially wage increases aligned to inflation proceed with strike action.
The Cornwall-based St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) was served with a 72-hour notice to strike by the UNIFOR union on October 18, 2023 for locals 4211, 4319, 4212, 4323 and 4320 which represent Seaway workers in Ontario and Quebec.The current contract expired on March 31, 2023.
The SLSMC said it remains committed to obtaining a fair settlement, and will continue to bargain in good faith with the assistance of a federally-appointed mediator.
But as a result of the strike notification, the SLSMC said it “has started implementing its detailed plans for an orderly and safe shutdown of the system within the 72-hour notice period. Should the unionized workers proceed with strike action, the St. Lawrence Seaway will be closed to all traffic.”
Cargo movements through the Seaway, which handled 36.2 million tonnes in 2022, are an important part of the North American economy and supply chain.
“In particular, this labour action would impact grain movements during a period when the world is in dire need of this essential commodity, even as supply has been affected by the situation in Ukraine and the greater frequency of extreme weather events being experienced around the world,” the SLSMC stated.
At the end of August, the year-to-date cargo traffic within the Seaway System reached 19.9 million tonnes, which was consistent with the 19.8 million tonnes transported during the same period in 2022.The latest statistics pointed to strong demand for western Canadian grain as a result of the conflict in Ukraine. Approximately 4.6 million tonnes of Canadian grain transited the Seaway, representing a 28.27% increase over the prior year – marking its fourth best year-to-date result since 2003.
“Employers have seen that workers will absolutely use their right to strike when they feel it’s necessary, and our members in all units at the Seaway have had enough,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “It’s time to come to the table with a serious wage offer or the employer can watch what happens when workers stand together and demand their fair share.”
Unifor members at Locals 4211, 4212 and 4323 in Ontario and Locals 4319 and 4320 in Quebec have all delivered strong strike mandates. Members in the supervisory and engineering group of workers in Locals 4211 and 4319 rejected a tentative agreement on August 1, 2023 and have aligned their plans with the maintenance, operations and administrative unit that recently voted 99% to strike.
“This employer has shown no willingness to address the workers’ concerns in the workplace or approach them with a respectful wage offer,” said Daniel Cloutier, Unifor Quebec Director. “A strike is always a tool of last resort when it comes to negotiations, but these workers have been clear and are united in their goals – they’re ready.”
SLSMC plans for potential orderly shutdown
Meanwhile, the SLSMC has started implementing its detailed plans for an orderly and safe shutdown of navigation, within the 72-hour notice period.
The following cut-off times have been established to allow 24 hours to clear the Montreal-Lake Ontario Section (MLO) of upbound ships, 28 hours to clear MLO of downbound ships, and 14 hours to clear the Welland Canal by 00:01 October 22, 2023.
Cut-off times to clear the MLO Section: • Upbound at CIP 2: 00:01 October 21, 2023 • Downbound at Cape Vincent: 20:01 October 20, 2023 Cut-off times to clear the Welland Canal: • Upbound at CIP 15: 10:01 October 21, 2023 • Downbound at CIP 16: 10:01 October 21, 2023 Should the unionized workers proceed with strike action: • St. Lawrence Seaway will be closed to all traffic at 00:01 October 22, 2023.
(Seaway photo from SLSMC)
