Port of Montreal returns to work after 12-day strike

After a 12-day strike, the Longshoremen Union CUPE Local 375 and the Montreal Checkers’ Union at the Port of Montreal have returned to work. A deal was reached on Friday, laying out a seven-month plan to continue negotiations with management without the threat of work stoppages. The two sides hope to find a mutually-acceptable deal by mid-March, 2021.

During the strike, at least eight container ships were diverted to New Brunswick and New York City. Thousands of containers were left dockside, and many of the 2,500 trucks that serve the port daily were at a standstill. Most sources expect it will take two to four weeks to clear the backlog of containers out of the port.

The Longshoremen Union has not had a contract in place since September of 2018, and the most recent work disruptions have revolved around wages and scheduling. If you have questions regarding a specific shipment, please contact a Deringer service center.