St. Lawrence Seaway workers began strike action on Saturday night after negotiations failed to reach a satisfactory agreement.
The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation is a not-for-profit corporation responsible for the safe and efficient movement of marine traffic through the Canadian Seaway facilities, which consists of 13 of the 15 locks between Montreal and Lake Erie.
Canada’s largest private sector union, Unifor, with more than 315,000 members across the country, said it “made the difficult decision to go on strike” and “cannot allow workers’ rights to be compromised.”
A 72-hour strike notice was officially filed on October 18, and despite sustained negotiating efforts, no resolution was reached by the Saturday, October 21 at 11:59 p.m. deadline.
Lana Payne, Unifor National president, expressed her disappointment in the failure of the employer to make “serious movement in the past two days,” as she said, noting that: “This impasse is extremely unfortunate but our members remain committed to getting a fair agreement.”
According to a press release by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC), the parties are “at an impasse as Unifor continues to insist on wage increases inspired by automotive-type negotiations, while the SLSMC works to find a fair and competitive labour agreement that balances wage demands and market realities.”
As it is reported, the system will remain shut down until an agreement can be reached, whether it be temporary or tentative, as St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation tries to minimize disruption for all stakeholders.
Terence Bowles, SLSMC president and chief executive, stated: “The stakes are high, and we are fully dedicated to finding a resolution that serves the interests of the Corporation and its employees. We remain committed to continuing discussions and reaching a fair labour agreement.”
“In these economically and geopolitically critical times, it is important that the Seaway remains a reliable transportation route for the efficient movement of essential cargoes between North America and the remainder of the world.”
Currently, the SLSMC is awaiting a response to its Canada Industrial Relations Board application, seeking a ruling under the Canada Labour Code for the Union to provide employees during a strike, to ensure vessels engaged in the movement of grain continue transiting the system.
An orderly shutdown of the system took place during the 72-hour notice period allowing for vessels to safely clear the Seaway system, and the Corporation remains in regular contact with the marine industry.
In accordance with SLSMC, there are no vessels waiting to exit the system, but there are over 100 vessels outside the system, which are impacted by the situation.
