The Longshoremen’s Union of the Port of Montreal (CUPE 375) has filed a notice on Monday of overtime strike with the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) in a pressure tactic targeting their employers as contract talks continue.
The union representing Port of Montreal longshore workers (CUPE 375) announced that it has notified the employer that it will refuse to work overtime starting at 7 am on Thursday, October 10 for an unlimited period.
“We are still bargaining with the help of two mediators from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service assigned to the case. We’re willing to get down to intensive negotiations, but since the employer is dragging their feet, we’re turning up the pressure so that they put forth the energy needed to find a solution,” explained the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) representative Michel Murray.
As it is reported by the Port of Montreal, the terminals will remain open, but delays in cargo processing and an accumulation of containers on the ground may be expected over the next few days.
“Rest assured that our teams are actively working to minimize the impact of disruptions and ensure the smooth running of port activities,” the port said in a statement.
The Maritime Employers Association (MEA) said on Wednesday that it formally asked the union to withdraw its strike notice on October 7, advising it that assigned employees who are unable to work will not be paid for the hours they could have worked.
“The MEA reiterates its willingness to continue negotiations and asks the Union to follow the process set out by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service in order to reach a negotiated agreement as quickly as possible,” it added in its statement.
