On Thursday, longshoremen at the Port of Montreal began an indefinite overtime strike. The labor stoppage comes as contract talks with the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) continue, with scheduling being a major sticking point in negotiations. While all terminals at the port remain open, the lack of overtime work is expected to cause significant delays and backlogs, with roughly ten ships likely to be affected at key terminals, including Cast, Maisonneuve, Racine, Viau, Logistec, CanEst, and Lantic.
Certain areas of the port, such as liquid bulk handling, the Oceanex service at Bickerdike terminal, and the grain terminal (Viterra), are not impacted by the strike. However, the MEA has warned that this partial strike could disrupt the handling of around 50% of the goods passing through the port, including essential items such as food, medical supplies, raw materials, and consumer goods. The MEA emphasized that employees on shifts with incomplete crews would not be paid, as the lack of overtime work is expected to slow the flow of freight considerably.
Union spokesman Michel Murray stated that scheduling remains a key issue in the ongoing talks, which resumed last week with the assistance of federal mediators. The Montreal Port Authority has expressed concern over the potential disruption to the logistics chain, the broader impact on supply chains, and the competitiveness of the St. Lawrence maritime corridor. Both parties are encouraged to reach an agreement as soon as possible to prevent further economic fallout.
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