November 10, 2024 – The Maritime Employers Association deplores the negative outcome of the vote held by the Montréal Longshoremen’s Union on the final and comprehensive offer tabled on Thursday, and has no choice but to declare a lockout as of 9 p.m. this evening.
In this context, the MEA reiterates its request to the Minister of Labour, Steven MacKinnon, to intervene to resolve the impasse as quickly as possible. A number of economic and maritime players across the country have made the same request in recent weeks to get things moving. Like the MEA, they all want this dispute to be resolved so that Québec and Canadian businesses can no longer be held hostage and rely on predictable and uninterrupted operations at the Port of Montréal.
Generous Total Compensation
In recognition of the value of the contribution made by its employees and their families, MEA’s final offer, tabled on Thursday, provided for a 3% salary increase per year for four years and a 3.5% increase for the two subsequent years, retroactive to the beginning of 2024. When the contract expires, the total average compensation of a longshore worker at the Port of Montréal would be more than $200,000 per year.
The MEA also maintained for Montréal longshoremen several unique benefits not available to their colleagues in other Canadian ports, including a very generous pension plan, fully paid by the employer and entirely managed by the Union, as well as an income guarantee that allows longshore workers to receive their wages even when they are not working. The proposed increases would also apply to the current pension plan, income guarantee and other actual benefits.
The MEA remains willing to collaborate on any new initiatives that may be proposed by the Minister of Labour to reach a satisfactory agreement between the parties as quickly as possible.
November 7, 2024 – This evening, the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) submitted a final, comprehensive offer to the Longshoremen’s Union, CUPE Local 375, to end the impasse in the current negotiations, which has major consequences for Québec and Canadian businesses. The MEA asks the Union for a reply by 8p.m. this Sunday on this offer, which provides for a cumulative increase of more than 20% over six years. The MEA has also informed the Union that, in the absence of an agreement on the offer submitted, and as a result of its actions, only essential services and activities unrelated to longshoring will continue at the Port of Montréal from 9p.m. on Sunday, November 10.
To acknowledge the valuable contribution of its employees and their families, the MEA’s final offer provides for a 3% salary increase per year for four years and a 3.5% increase for the two subsequent years, retroactive to the beginning of 2024. When the contract expires, the total average compensation of a longshore worker at the Port of Montréal will be more than $200,000 per year. The proposed increases will also apply to the current pension plan and benefits.
The MEA agrees to this significant compensation increase in view of the availability required from its employees. It does, however, require longshore workers to provide at least one hour’s notice of absence instead of one minute before a shift. This measure will reduce absence management issues, which have a major effect on daily operations.
Huge losses
Close to $400 million in goods pass through the Port of Montréal per day, generating $268 million in economic activity.
Against this backdrop, dozens of economic and maritime players across Canada are calling on the federal government to intervene quickly to end the impasse in current negotiations with Port of Montréal longshore workers.
The MEA remains willing to collaborate on any initiative proposed by the Minister of Labour to reach a satisfactory agreement between the parties as soon as possible.
November 5, 2024 – With the exception of the bulk sector and essential services, container handling operations at the Port of Montréal is experiencing a major slowdown following the repetitive and unlimited strikes of the Longshoremen’s Union, CUPE Local 375. As a result, these activities require only 45 longshore workers to complete the tasks on the docks, since volumes have dropped significantly.
The MEA continues to apply mitigation measures to limit the effects of the longshore workers’ multiple strikes, which are ongoing at the Port of Montréal and affect not only operations, but also, more importantly, public safety and the entire Québec and Canadian economy by depriving thousands of businesses and consumers of essential goods
Call for conflict resolution
The MEA recognizes the contribution of longshore workers and their families to Port of Montréal operations, and would like to see a negotiated settlement. Remember that, on an average day, Port of Montréal activities represent some $400 million worth of goods, generating $268 million in economic activity.
The MEA has always been committed to offering its employees competitive total compensation package. In 2023, the average compensation of a longshore worker at the Port of Montréal was $171,700. This compensation includes income guarantee when there is no work, the value of the pension plan fully paid by the employer, insurance, public holidays, vacation, and more. The MEA wants this deadlock to end as soon as possible.
November 2, 2024 – The Maritime Employers Association (MEA) will have no other choice than to proceed with the suspension of the salary guarantee as of November 5 at 7:00 a.m. for all longshore workers not working, with the exception of bulk sector and essential services. This is a mitigation measure to reduce the cumulative financial impact of repeated strikes and lower volumes at the Port of Montréal.
This week, the MEA proposed entering into a period of accelerated negotiations with the Union, without preconditions, with the support of a special mediator appointed by the federal Minister of Labour, in order to reach a new collective agreement. Unfortunately, the Union rejected this proposal.
Instead, the Port of Montréal Longshoremen’s Union, CUPE Local 375, decided to call an unlimited strike on October 31 that directly blocks two TerMont terminals and the handling of 40% of containers delivered to the port. This regrettable decision, which is in addition to the refusal to work overtime since October 10, has a major impact on most operations at the Port of Montréal. Union actions caused a move in cargo to other destinations.
As a result, after thoroughly analyzing the financial situation, the MEA, informed the Union this morning that it will suspend the salary guarantee mainly for longshore workers assigned to container transshipment who are not at work, as of Tuesday, November 5.
Currently, Port of Montréal longshore workers who are on call but who are not working due to insufficient volume receive their full salary each week. This specific provision, unique to Montréal longshore workers, is expected to cost approximately $15 million in 2024.
Major impacts
Since 2022, volumes have plummeted at the Port of Montréal and MEA revenues have fallen by approximately 40%. In this context, the actions initiated by the Union are forcing the MEA to make some difficult, but necessary, decisions to mitigate the financial impact of pressure tactics on the organization. The MEA represents the industry with workers and its role involves providing a qualified workforce to enable intermodal transport and protect the supply chain despite its significant declines in revenue.
Despite the deplorable actions of the Longshoremen’s Union, CUPE Local 375, which have repeatedly disrupted the supply chain in Montréal and in the entire country, the MEA remains willing to continue negotiations with the Union, with the support of a mediator appointed by the Minister of Labour.
October 31, 2024 – The Maritime Employers Association (MEA) deplores the new unlimited strike called by the Port of Montréal Longshoremen’s Union that specifically paralyzes the two terminals operated by Termont as of 11:00 a.m. today.
The MEA cannot grant the Union’s demand to change work hours without formal negotiations. The schedules used on the different docks—shift and relay—called into question by the Union in recent days, are enshrined in the collective agreement in force and cannot be used as a bargaining chip for a strike targeting a single operator, as is the case today.
Major impacts
The MEA has been affected by a drop in volume at the Port of Montréal for several months already, forcing it to make some cuts within the organization. It continues to regularly review its situation. Difficult but necessary decisions may have to be made to cope with the many impacts of this new strike.
According to Port of Montréal data, the market is already down 30% compared to 2022.
The Maritime Employers Association reiterates its request that the federal Minister of Labour intervene to bring the parties back to the negotiating table to put an end to this conflict that affects our clients, partners and their trust in the Port of Montréal.
October 29, 2024 – Given the impasse, the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) is asking the Minister of Labour and Seniors, Mr. Steven MacKinnon, to appoint the special mediator to reach an agreement by December 3, 2024.
Discussions over the past few hours have failed to bring the Union back to the table in a constructive manner. The Longshoremen’s Union is therefore preparing to launch an unlimited general strike at the Viau and Maisonneuve terminals operated by TerMont, starting at 11 a.m. on Thursday. This pressure tactic will quickly lead to major operational upheavals, jeopardizing the operations of several companies, as well as the financial health of the MEA, which is already coping with declining volumes.
It is clear that the parties are currently at an impasse. The MEA is appealing for the government to appoint a special mediator to break the deadlock in negotiations as soon as possible. An official request was sent to the Minister’s office at the end of the day.
The MEA will not comment further on the content of the negotiations.
October 26, 2024 – The Maritime Employers Association (MEA) reiterates that the Montréal Longshoremen’s Union, CUPE Local 375, plans a complete work stoppage in the Montréal Port territory, including the Contrecœur terminal, for a period of twenty-four (24) hours, from Sunday, October 27, 2024, at 7 a.m. until Monday, October 28, 2024, at 6:59 a.m.
In accordance with the Canadian Labour Code, activities for grain vessels will be maintained, as well as those related to the supply of Newfoundland and Labrador, in line with the decision of the Canadian Industrial Relations Board dated July 23, 2024.
The MEA hopes that upcoming discussions with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service will be fruitful and will lead to a return to the negotiation table to quickly reach a negotiated collective agreement.
October 24, 2024 – The Maritime Employers Association condemns the strike notice received this morning from the Port of Montréal Longshoremen’s Union, CUPE Local 375, which consists in a complete stoppage of work on Port of Montréal territory, including the Contrecœur terminal, for 24 hours, from Sunday, October 27, 2024, at 7:00 a.m. to Monday, October 28, 2024, at 6:59 a.m. Read the complete update.
October 21, 2024 – The Maritime Employers Association acknowledges Minister MacKinnon’s decision to withdraw his offer to appoint a special mediator to help conclude a new collective agreement with the Longshoremen’s Union.
The time has come to determine the next steps with the support of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
October 18, 2024 – On October 15, the Minister of Labour and Seniors, the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, made a proposal to the MEA and the Montréal Longshoremen’s union, CUPE Local 375.
The proposal suggested appointing a special mediator so that the parties could resume negotiations without any pressure tactics from either side, over a 90-day period.
We have sent our response to the Minister and are in constant communication with his office to ensure a constructive solution to the deadlock.
In order to respect the process and, above all, to ensure its success, we will not be making any further comments.
October 15, 2024 – A meeting was held this afternoon with federal Minister of Labour, the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, to advance the matter of the labour contract between the MEA and the Montréal Longshoremen’s Union. The meeting was attended by both the employer and the union.
During the meeting, the Minister proposed the appointment of a special mediator so the parties can resume negotiations, without any pressure tactic from either party for a period of 90 days.
The Maritime Employers Association is committed to examining the proposal.
It should be noted that a three-day strike called by the Union on September 30 paralyzed activities at two Port of Montréal terminals. An unlimited overtime strike was called on October 10.
The MEA and the Union must submit their respective responses to the Minister of Labour no later than Friday at 5:00 p.m.
October 9, 2024 – The MEA would like to reiterate that the Port of Montréal Longshoremen’s Union, Local 375, plans to completely halt overtime work as of 7:00 a.m. this Thursday, October 10, for an unlimited period.
The MEA formally asked the Union to withdraw its strike notice on October 7, advising it that assigned employees who are unable to work will not be paid for the hours they could have worked.
The MEA believes that the systematic refusal of overtime will have significant repercussions on the Port’s activities—even to the point of stopping operations—and, by extension, on businesses, industries and the public.
The MEA reiterates its willingness to continue negotiations and asks the Union to follow the process set out by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service in order to reach a negotiated agreement as quickly as possible.
October 7, 2024 – The MEA today advised the Port of Montréal Longshoremen’s Union (Local 375) that the complete cessation of overtime has a significant impact on deployed crews and the tasks required for operations.
As a result, the MEA has decided that employees assigned to shifts with incomplete crews will not be paid. This measure is necessary considering that incomplete shifts will cause imminent slow downs or even halt operations at the Port, which will result in consequences for the public.
The MEA has formally asked the Union to withdraw this strike notice, the pressure tactics of which are scheduled to begin at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 10, and will last indefinitely.
The MEA reiterates its willingness to continue negotiations and asks the Union to follow the procedure dictated by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service in order to reach a negotiated agreement as quickly as possible.
October 3, 2024 – The parties have been convened by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) to a mediation meeting tomorrow at 11 a.m.
We want a lasting agreement that takes reality into account so we can work together to bring stability and cargo back to Montréal.
No further information will be provided so as not to interfere in the mediation process.
October 2, 2024 – After a three-day strike, activities will resume at the Viau and Maisonneuve terminals tomorrow morning. The priority of the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) remains a negotiated good-faith agreement.
Clearly, the current mediation process is no longer producing results. The mediation meeting on September 26 unfortunately led to the longshore workers’ Union filing a strike notice the next day. It should also be remembered that 66 days went by without any response from the Union after we submitted our offer this summer.
We are currently evaluating all the options available to arrive at a sustainable solution that reflects the reality of the situation.
September 29, 2024 – The MEA has tried all possible means of averting tomorrow’s planned strike at the Viau and Maisonneuve terminals which are operated by Termont at the Port of Montréal.
The MEA’s efforts through mediation, supported by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and at an emergency hearing this afternoon at the Canada Industrial Relations Board, did not bear fruit.
The MEA had sincerely hoped to find common ground between the parties so that we could maintain operations. We are thus disappointed with this outcome.
The MEA’s priority remains the conclusion of a negotiated collective agreement within the briefest possible delay.
September 27, 2024 – The MEA received strike notice this morning from the Port of Montréal Longshoremen’s Union (CUPE Local 375), consisting of a complete stoppage of operations at the two Termont terminals (Viau and Maisonneuve Terminals) from Monday, September 30, 7:00 a.m. to Thursday, October 3, 6:59 a.m.
As we learned of the specific demands via the media, we will review them before commenting further.
Any work stoppage at the Port of Montréal has major consequences.
With cargo handled by Montréal longshore workers already down 24% since 2022, we have a joint responsibility to secure a signed collective agreement as soon as possible.
September 25, 2024 – The MEA acknowledges the strike vote held on September 24 and 25 by the Montréal Longshoremen’s Union – CUPE Local 375 at the Port of Montréal.
As communicated earlier this week, a 72-hour notice is required before any pressure tactics can be implemented. The Union has up to 60 days to execute its strike mandate.
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service supports the parties in negotiations. A session is scheduled for September 26.
Our priority remains the signing of a negotiated collective agreement as soon as possible to work on bringing the cargo back to the Port of Montréal.
Subscribe to our All Aboard! publication and receive updates directly
"*" indicates required fields