Canada lines up back-to-work legislation to end Montreal port strike

Published 2021-04-27, 01:34 p/m
© Reuters. Longshore workers strike in front of Port of Montreal in Montreal

OTTAWA (Reuters) -The Canadian government unveiled back-to-work legislation on Tuesday to end a strike at the Port of Montreal, and later received opposition support that should guarantee its passage.

The Liberal government said it was disappointed talks between unions and employers had broken down. Conservative Party leader Erin O'Toole said he would support the bill, which now may be voted on as early as Wednesday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority government needs votes from at least one opposition party to pass legislation.

"We're going to take action, not to impose a contract on anyone, but to allow for neutral arbitration that will lead to a new agreement," Trudeau told lawmakers on Tuesday.

In a letter to Trudeau, the union representing the striking workers said the legislation would undermine the "fundamental rights" of its members and was "neither helpful nor necessary."

The Canadian Union of Public Employees Quebec's 1,125 longshore workers at the port, the second biggest in Canada, began their second strike in less than a year on Monday, demanding the Maritime Employers Association withdraw new work schedules they say are unfair.

Business leaders urged Ottawa to quickly end the walkout that is disrupting supply chains.

O'Toole blamed Trudeau for failing to head off the strike, but said the labor action threatened to further undermine the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Just last year, a 19-day stoppage at the Port of Montreal is estimated to have cost C$600 million ($484 million) dollars," O'Toole said in a statement.

Earlier, Labour Minister Filomena Tassi said the strike was causing significant and potentially long-lasting harm to Canada's economy and reputation.

"The port of Montreal is critical to the economic wellbeing of Canadians," she said in a statement.

© Reuters. Longshore workers strike in front of Port of Montreal in Montreal

Unionized workers have been in talks for a new contract since 2018.

($1 = 1.2397 Canadian dollars)

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.