Union, association agree to mediation for Port of Montreal workers

Following the Canada Industrial Relations Board’s (CIRB) decision Nov. 14, the Port of Montréal Longshoremen’s Union (CUPE 375) and the Maritime Employers Association have agreed by consensus to enter into a mediation process for a period of 90 days.

The parties agreed to retain the services of Gilles Charland, an experienced mediator with knowledge of the industry. The parties have also agreed not to make any public statements in connection with the ongoing mediation process.

The Port of Montreal Longshore Union CUPE Local 375 rejected the final offer from the MEA resulting in a lockout at the port Nov. 10.

“This lockout affects not only the 1,200 longshoremen directly impacted by the work stoppage, but it also impacts over 10,000 workers in the logistics sector, from trucking and railway employees to maritime agents and pilots,” said Julie Gascon, CEO of the Montreal Port Authority (MPA). “Logistics jobs are the first to be affected, which inevitably sets off a domino effect throughout the entire economy in the markets we serve.”

The Canadian government then stepped in and invoked binding arbitration at B.C. and Quebec ports, ordering workers to resume operations.

“I have directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order that all operations and duties at the ports resume and to assist the parties to settle their collective agreements by imposing final and binding arbitration,” Minister of Labour Steven MacKinnon said during a press conference.

MacKinnon also ordered that the terms of the existing collective agreements until new ones are established.

The MEA said it welcomed the government’s decision to intervene by asking CIRB to order binding arbitration to resolve the “total impasse” in the dispute with Longshoremen’s Union CUPE 375 and would await instructions from CIRB on next steps.

The post Union, association agree to mediation for Port of Montreal workers appeared first on Auto Service World.