Montreal docker union slates strike that just immediately targets Termont’s two terminals

As a pressure tactic in the midst of deadlocked negotiations with all maritime employers, the union representing 1,150 longshore workers at the Port of Montreal today announced that a three-day strike would begin as of 7 a.m. Monday and last until Thursday.

But it would only affect the two terminals operated by Termont Montreal – and if an agreement is reached in the meantime with Termont, the work stoppage would be called off. At a press conference, union advisor Michel Murray appeared to single out one issue that provoked the industrial action – alleging that Termont was not respecting the existing collective agreement by halving the number of foremen on stevedoring operations.

“If they send us a message this (practice) will stop and they will respect the existing contract, we will withdraw the strike notice,” Mr. Murray said.

He suggested that at most some 300 dockers would be impacted by the strike and that several arriving vessels could be re-directed to be handled at the large facility of Montreal Gateway Terminals Partnership.

Jointly owned by Logistec Corporation, Cerescorp and Terminal Investment Limited, Termont operates the Viau and Maisonneuve terminals. The operator has a long-term contract for handling the business of Mediterranean Shipping Company and handles about one third of all containers transiting the port.

A Logistec spokesperson commented: “The strike applies to Termont’s two terminals, Viau and Maisonneuve, which will be closed during this period, from Monday September 30 at 7:00 AM until Thursday October 3 at 7:00 AM. Both terminals will resume operations at 7:00 AM on Thursday, October 3. We will ensure a smooth resumption of operations on Thursday morning to minimize the impact of this interruption.

“As a supply chain partner at the Port of Montreal, we hope that the Maritime Employers Association and the Longshoremen's Union can reach an agreement for business continuity.”

Meanwhile, mediated negotiations, which revived yesterday, are continuing with the Maritime Employers Association to renew the collective agreement which expired on Dec. 31, 2023.

Earlier this week, the members of Local 375 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) rejected the latest offer from the Maritime Employers Association by 99.63% while also according to the union a strike mandate to exercise at a time of its choosing.

Among other demands, the union is reportedly seeking a 20% wage increase over four years as well as an improved work-life balance.

In a statement, Quebec’s chamber of commerce (FCCQ) deplored the advent of a third labour conflict on the Montreal waterfront since 2020. It expressed concern over Canada's reputation internationally as a trading partner – notably following the docker strikes at Vancouver throughout 2023 and the summer of 2024 as well as the recent strike that shut down Canada's two major railways.

"For now, the FCCQ is asking the longshore workers' union to suspend as soon as possible its threat to strike and return to the negotiation table in order to reach a viable and equitable agreement,” the chamber said.