Negotiations at the Port of Montreal have resumed with arbitrators also back at the table following a pause in the talks, because the sides remained far apart.
[s2If is_user_logged_in()]A bitter series of strikes in the summer of last year saw a truce called between the International Longshoremen’s Union 375 (CUPE), representing 1,125 dockers, and the Maritime Employer’s Association (MEA) who represent the terminal operators, with both sides agreeing to a seven-month truce with arbitration.
The period of the truce is due to end on 21 March and both sides remain far apart in terms of the finding a resolution to the dispute. After the end of the truce, pressure tactics will again be available to both the union and employers with port users fearing new delays to cargo.
Arbitrators had initially walked away from the discussions last month claiming that they were unable to bridge the distance between the two sides, which they said remained large. Significant disruption was caused by last year’s strike action with operators, including Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd and OOCL all diverting cargo to avoid Montreal, mainly to Halifax. With the union having decided to move ahead with a 60-day strike mandate as negotiations broke down.
Dockers at the Port of Montreal have been negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement since 2018 with no final agreement having been reached following court cases and arbitration. Unless the two sides can find a compromise within the next couple of weeks the expectation is that strike action will resume.
Neither the MEA or the union will respond to questions from the media as both sides are prevented from doing so as part of the terms of the truce agreed last August.
[/s2If]
[s2If !is_user_logged_in()]Please login or register to read the rest of the story[/s2If]
Nick Savvides
Managing Editor
