Montreal Dock Workers Announce Strike Amid Stalled Negotiations

Concerns for Canada’s Trade Reputation

The union’s primary grievance is that Termont Montreal has allegedly violated the existing collective agreement by cutting the number of foremen overseeing stevedoring operations in half. The union stated that if the company agrees to reverse this decision and respect the contract, they are willing to call off the strike immediately.

It’s estimated that around 300 workers will be affected by the strike. Incoming vessels scheduled for the targeted terminals may be redirected to other facilities within the port to avoid delays.

Montreal Port Strike Impact and Response

The two affected terminals are crucial to the port's operations, handling about one-third of all containers passing through. These terminals also have long-term contracts with major international shipping lines, making them significant players in the port’s overall functioning.



In response, a company representative confirmed that both terminals will be closed during the strike, but operations are expected to resume on Thursday morning. They assured that efforts will be made to minimize disruption and ensure a smooth restart of operations.

This labor dispute follows other major strikes at Canadian ports in recent years, along with the Canadian rail strike, raising concerns about the potential impact on Canada’s global trading reputation. Strikes in Vancouver in 2023 and disruptions to Canada’s railways have already created significant concerns among businesses and international partners.

Quebec’s chamber of commerce expressed worry about the ongoing labor conflicts, urging the union to halt its strike plans and return to the negotiation table. The chamber emphasized the importance of reaching a fair agreement without further damaging Canada's reliability as a trading partner.

Union Demands

The union members overwhelmingly rejected the latest offer from maritime employers, citing demands for a 20% wage increase over four years, along with better work-life balance. With negotiations still ongoing, both sides are under pressure to find common ground and prevent further disruptions to port operations.

As the situation develops, the entire maritime industry, along with Translogistics—and the broader economy—will be closely monitoring the outcome of these critical talks.