The Maritime Employers Association (MEA) has issued a statement in response to a 24-hour strike notice from the Port of Montreal Longshoremen’s Union, CUPE Local 375, set to begin on Sunday, Oct.27, at 7:00 a.m.
The strike will affect all work on Port of Montreal grounds, including the Contrecœur terminal. This follows a series of strikes and pressure tactics that have disrupted port operations, including a recent overtime ban imposed by the union on Oct.10.
MEA highlighted that these disruptions have compounded existing operational challenges, impacting the Quebec and Canadian supply chains and resulting in a notable 24% decline in cargo handled at the port since 2022, with many clients redirecting shipments to U.S. East Coast ports.
Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon previously proposed appointing a special mediator to restart negotiations between the MEA and CUPE Local 375 without pressure tactics. However, the proposal was withdrawn when both parties failed to agree on the mediator appointment.
“Without lasting industrial peace, clients will continue to go elsewhere and many will not return, preferring more predictable and stable solutions,” the statement reads. “In this situation of continuing uncertainty, reaching an agreement as soon as possible is crucial to start rebuilding the Port of Montréal’s reputation and, incidentally, reestablishing cargo operations.”
MEA is hopeful that the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) will find a permanent solution: “As the Minister declared, we will be holding discussions with the FMCS in the coming week. The MEA is committed to playing an active role in the process and urges the Union to demonstrate the same openness.”
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