Union rejects contract; Maritime Employers Association locks out 1,200 workers, disrupting trade
The Port of Montreal’s longshoring activity will come to a halt as the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) imposes a lockout on 1,200 union members, Financial Post reports.
This escalation in an ongoing labour dispute will disrupt operations at Canada’s second-largest port, which usually handles goods worth nearly $400m daily.
Operations had already slowed significantly, with dockworkers walking off the job at two terminals on October 31, followed by a full-day strike later in the month.
The MEA set a deadline of Sunday at 8 pm EST for the Longshoremen’s Union to respond to a contract offer that includes a 20 percent wage increase over six years.
According to the MEA, this increase would push the average annual compensation for longshore workers to over $200,000 by the end of the contract.
However, union members nearly unanimously rejected the proposal, citing the recent agreement for US dockworkers, who secured a 62 percent raise over the same period.
On Sunday, the MEA expressed disappointment with the union’s decision, announcing the lockout effective at 9 pm.
“The Maritime Employers Association deplores the negative outcome of the vote held by the Montréal Longshoremen’s Union on the final and comprehensive offer tabled on Thursday, and has no choice but to declare a lockout as of 9 pm this evening,” the MEA said in a statement.
Since December 31 of last year, the union and employers have been without a collective agreement. Although some port services, including a Viterra grain terminal, will continue operations, the lockout will disrupt most functions.
The Montreal Port Authority has appealed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to intervene.
“I believe that the best agreements are negotiated at the table. But let’s face it, there are no negotiations,” said CEO Julie Gascon on Thursday.
Meanwhile, on Canada’s west coast, a separate labour dispute has also led to disruptions.
On November 4, British Columbia dock employers locked out workers after the union issued a strike notice, refusing overtime work. This action has affected an estimated $800m in daily activity.
Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon addressed the situation on November 7, emphasizing the government’s support for negotiations but expressing concern about the slow progress.
He noted the “absence of urgency” from the involved parties in both British Columbia and Montreal.
