The Maritime Employers Association is responsible for the daily dispatch of manpower to employers involved in longshoring operations in the Ports of Montreal and Trois-Rivières/Becancour. The dispatch department must ensure that it always abides by the rules and regulations contained in the collective agreements that are in force.

In Montreal, the daily dispatch of manpower is entirely automated. A computerized system allows the M.E.A. to manage the orders for manpower and obtain, on a daily basis, the results of the dispatch in less than 15 minutes. At the Port of Trois-Rivières/Becancour, the regular procedure for the dispatch of manpower is partially automated; the Dispatch Centre is in support when needed.

At the Ports of Toronto and Hamilton, the orders for and the dispatch of manpower is done directly between the companies and the various unions.