An operational slowdown is expected at the Port of Montreal as a three-day strike was announced last week. Two container terminals, those of Viau and Maisonneuve, will be affected by the strike.
The 72-hour notice filed by the SCFP Longshoremen’s Union, Local 375, and the Maritime Employers Association (MEA), calls for a three-day strike at the Viau and Maisonneuve container terminals operated by Termont Montréal, from Monday, September 30, at 7 a.m., to Thursday, October 3, at 6:59 a.m.
As a result of these developments, the Montreal Port Authority has activated its business continuity plan, to ensure that any pressure tactics will not affect the rest of port operations.
The Montreal Port Authority gave an idea of the extent of the potential repercussions of the partial strike: “this action will suspend operations at the Viau and Maisonneuve terminals, which account for 41% of containers transiting the Port of Montreal.”
“The MEA has tried all possible means of averting tomorrow’s planned strike at the Viau and Maisonneuve terminals which are operated by Termont at the Port of Montréal, but to no avail. The MEA’s efforts through mediation, supported by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and at an emergency hearing this afternoon at the Canada Industrial Relations Board, did not bear fruit,” the association (MEA) stated in a press release published Sunday evening.
“Although negotiations are continuing, we are disappointed that they have not, to date, enabled both parties to reach an agreement, while nearly $6 billion worth of goods are expected to arrive on the Port of Montreal’s docks in the coming weeks. For the time being, we intend to concentrate our efforts on ensuring that port operations are affected as little as possible, and we hope that the parties will quickly agree on a way out, as the uncertainty surrounding our activities will have a domino effect, both on importers and exporters who rely on the transportation of goods, and on the general public. I therefore invite both parties to continue negotiations in order to avoid a work stoppage,” declared Julie Gascon, president and chief executive officer of the Montreal Port Authority.
The Port of Montreal has announced that this action will suspend operations at the Viau and Maisonneuve terminals, which account for 41% of container traffic at the port.
As it is reported by the port, docking services normally provided by stevedores and cargo handling at the Viau and Maisonneuve terminals will be suspended, access to these terminals will be prohibited, and no rail, ship or truck services will be provided.
The other terminals remain in service, whilst port users may continue to use other port facilities, the port authority of Montreal said.
“When companies choose the Port of Montreal, it’s first and foremost because they know they can count on a reliable trade infrastructure. When a labor dispute arises, Port users quickly adopt new behaviors, and the economic impact of the Port of Montreal is greatly affected,” added Ms. Gascon.
