by Manal Barakat, SeaNewsEditor

In an interview with the Journal of Commerce, Montreal Port Authority (MPA) Chief Executive Julie Gascon highlighted the need to regain shippers' trust with a new labour contract for the port's dockers.

Gascon stated that the port experienced a significant cargo diversion following the labour disruption in 2024. She emphasised the importance of restoring confidence in the port's reliability, especially as plans for a new container terminal are underway.

The contract covering the work of Montreal's dockworkers expired at the end of 2023.

Dockworkers staged a series of work stoppages, walkouts, and refusals to work overtime throughout October 2024 to pressure employers.

Later in November, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) announced it would impose arbitration on both parties.

However, the Montreal Maritime Employers Association (MEA) and Local 375 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) requested a mediation period to negotiate a new contract for the 1,300 dockworkers.

Latest developments

Last week, the MEA announced that the negotiations with the union would proceed to arbitration after mediated talks failed.

The MEA stated that the special mediator overseeing the negotiations "no longer saw any potential agreement between the two parties and has ended the mediation process."

The next step involves both parties either agreeing on an arbitrator or having one appointed by Canada's Labour Minister, Steve MacKinnon.

Once appointed, the arbitrator typically has 60 days to issue orders regarding the terms of a new master contract.

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