Montreal port strike ends, but tensions linger over prolonged strike in U.S.
The Viau and Maisonneuve terminals handle more than 40 per cent of container traffic
Kkritika Suri
The union representing Montreal dockworkers has concluded a planned three-day strike at two terminals, but the possibility of further job actions and supply chain disruptions looms in the coming weeks.
The Maritime Employers Association confirmed that work resumed at 7 a.m. ET at the Viau and Maisonneuve terminals, which handle over 40 per cent of container traffic at Canada’s second-largest port.
Despite the strike ending, the two parties did not meet throughout the week. The union accused the employers of refusing to attend a meeting called by federal mediators on Thursday.
"What is this employer up to? It denounces the effect of a partial strike on the economy and the supply chain, but it doesn’t deign to come to the negotiating table to find solutions. It’s mind-boggling," said Michel Murray, spokesperson for the union local, which is part of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
However, the employers’ association, representing shipping companies and terminal operators, refuted the union’s claim, stating there was no scheduled meeting. They reiterated their goal of reaching a collective agreement through negotiations.
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service did not clarify whether a meeting had been arranged or canceled. "At this time, we can confirm the mediators remain in contact with the parties and are continuing work to assist them in their negotiations," said spokeswoman Samuelle Carbonneau via email.
Employer spokeswoman Isabelle Pelletier expressed frustration with the stalled talks, stating, "Clearly, the current mediation process is no longer producing results." She noted that the union took two months to respond to an employer contract offer over the summer. "We are currently evaluating all the options available to arrive at a sustainable solution that reflects the reality of the situation."
The three-day strike, involving a quarter of the port’s 1,200 loaders and checkers, began on Monday, coinciding with a large-scale strike by tens of thousands of dockworkers at three dozen U.S. ports, which has affected about half of the country’s ocean cargo.
Many products that end up in Canadian warehouses and stores arrive through U.S. ports, while some Canadian exports pass through American ports for overseas shipment. A prolonged U.S. strike could cause significant delays and disrupt shipments of goods ranging from apples to auto parts.
Fresh Taste Produce, an Ontario-based food importer, is currently waiting on a shipment of South African oranges stuck at the Port of New York and New Jersey. "We should be OK for a week, but I’m not sure," said Lyda Gonzalez, the company’s import coordinator.
The company also imports apples from Chile and kiwis from Italy, which typically arrive in Montreal. Like many businesses, Fresh Taste Produce increased its inventory ahead of the partial strike, but there are concerns that more strikes could lead to spoiled goods.
Manufacturing companies, which often rely on just-in-time inventory systems, are also feeling the strain, particularly due to the limited shipping alternatives for bulk goods like iron ore or bauxite. "You can’t really move iron ore or bauxite any other way," said Dennis Darby, CEO of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters industry group.
Machinery, mechanical appliances, and transportation equipment made up more than 39 per cent of U.S. exports to Canada in 2021, according to the U.S. Office of Technology Evaluation. Meanwhile, about $50 million worth of manufactured goods or components leave Canada daily through the Port of Montreal, Darby said, warning of potential bottlenecks if another strike occurs.
The dockworkers’ union must provide a 72-hour notice before any further strike action. The strike mandate, which was approved by members on September 25, remains in effect for 60 days.
