Port of Montreal workers to go on unlimited strike starting Monday

An aerial view shows a ship sailing past the Port of Montreal in Montreal on Thursday, Nov.14, 2024. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)

Workers at the Port of Montreal will go on general unlimited strike starting at 5 a.m. Monday.

The 32 workers at Montreal Gateway Terminals, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), filed their strike notice last Thursday. They voted 96 per cent in favour of the pressure tactic on Sept. 11.

“Discussions have stalled over subcontracting and wage issues. There is also no agreement on the minimum operational requirements for the terminal to run smoothly. This company is very profitable, thanks to our members. The employees deserve better!” said union advisor Loïc Blanchard in a news release.

The union says mediation and conciliation efforts have been unsuccessful.

Workers have been without a collective agreement since Dec. 31, 2024.

CUPE represents the Montreal Longshoremen’s Union as well as longshoremen in the ports of Quebec City, Trois-Rivières, Sorel, and Matane, for a total of approximately 1,600 members.