Port of Montreal: Partial and unlimited strike by dockworkers begins

The partial and unlimited strike by dockworkers at the Port of Montreal is underway. It started at 11 a.m. on Thursday as planned.

About 320 of the 1,200 longshore workers are on an unlimited strike this time, but only at two terminals operated by the Termont company: Viau and Maisonneuve.

The company had already been targeted by a three-day partial strike by dockworkers at the beginning of October.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), affiliated with the FTQ, had said it was prepared to postpone its announced strike if there was an agreement was reached between parties regarding the use of a certain type of work schedule, but the union’s offer did not prevent the strike.

The question of work schedules has made Termont the target of the new partial and unlimited strike. The local CUPE union states that Termont has generalized the use of this type of schedule, which the dockworkers oppose.

The dispute is mainly about schedules, work-life balance, and wages. The union says it is prepared to accept the wage increases that were granted to dockworkers in Vancouver and Halifax, namely 20 per cent over four years.

Earlier this week, the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) argued that the strike, even if partial, “will quickly lead to major operational disruptions.”

They also called for federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon to appoint a special mediator to help bring negotiations with the dockworkers’ union to a close. It justifies its request to the minister by explaining that the negotiations remain at an impasse.

The MEA said they hope to reach an agreement by Dec. 3.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews