Strike at the Port of Montreal

[Link] On Monday, September 22 at 5 a.m., CUPE 4317 went on strike at the Port of Montreal after the 32 agents at the Montréal Gateway Terminals filed a strike notice on Thursday. On September 11, the workers voted 96% in favour of a strike.

"Discussions are stalling over contracting out and wages," said CUPE representative Loïc Blanchard. "What's more, no agreement has been reached on the minimum operating requirements to keep the terminals running smoothly even though, thanks to our members, the company is very profitable. The workers deserve better!"

Mediation and conciliation failed to lead to an agreement. The last collective agreement expired on December 31, 2024.

With 143,000 members in Quebec, CUPE represents the Syndicat des débardeurs du port de Montréal as well as longshore workers in the ports of Quebec, Trois-Rivières, Sorel and Matane, totalling about 1,600 members. CUPE is also in the social services, communications, education, post-secondary, energy, municipal, public, air and ground transportation, mixed and firefighting sectors. It is the largest, FTQ-affiliated union.