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Port of Montreal

Strike disrupts some operations at the Port of Montreal

Oct 31, 2024 | 5:00 PM

A labour dispute at the Port of Montreal has shut down some operations.

This morning an indefinite strike by members of CUPE Local 375, the longshore workers’ union, began at the Viau and Maisonneuve terminals.

The two Termont-operated terminals are closed, and no rail, truck or ship services will be provided.

President and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority (MPA) Julie Gascon said with 40 per cent of total container handling capacity paralyzed by the work stoppage, and ships and trains already obliged to choose other routes, she said the MPA is deeply concerned about the negative repercussions of the work stoppage.

“It is imperative that the parties reach agreement. This new work stoppage at the Viau and Maisonneuve terminals, at the very hub of our supply chain, can only have a deeply negative impact.”

Gascon said the port plays a vital role, not only for Quebec, but also for the rest of Canada.

“The need to reach an agreement quickly is acute and cannot be ignored,” Gascon said.

The overtime strike launched two weeks ago had already caused a backlog of containers on site, including refrigerated containers carrying medical, pharmaceutical and food products, as well as a loss of productivity, leading to the cancellation of several outbound train convoys.

All the other Port of Montreal terminals remain operational including the Viterra grain terminal.

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

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