Montreal Dockworkers to Begin General Strike at Two Key Terminals

28 Oct Montreal Dockworkers to Begin General Strike at Two Key Terminals

Following a 24-hour strike on Sunday, dockworkers at the Port of Montreal have announced an indefinite general strike at two container terminals, set to begin Thursday at 11 a.m. The union, representing nearly 1,200 longshore workers, is targeting the Termont-operated terminals, which handle approximately 40% of the port’s container traffic.

These pressure tactics come amid a longstanding labor dispute; dockworkers have been without a collective agreement since December 31, 2023. Key issues in the negotiation include salaries, scheduling, and work-life balance. Additionally, workers have been refusing to work overtime since October 10.

Earlier this month, federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon proposed appointing a special mediator to facilitate negotiations without further strikes or lockouts for a 90-day period. However, the union rejected the proposal, maintaining their stance on job action.

This ongoing dispute at Canada’s second-largest port could significantly impact container movement, further straining supply chains as port operations slow down.