Port of Montreal Labor Dispute Enters 90-Day Mediation Phase

Employers at the Port of Montreal and the CUPE Local 375 union, representing port workers, have agreed to enter a 90-day mediation period in an effort to reach a new labor agreement.

The mediation process, announced on November 25, follows a series of labor disputes, including a lockout imposed by the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) on November 10. Both parties have selected Gilles Chartrand, a seasoned dispute resolution expert, to mediate the negotiations. During this period, both sides have agreed to refrain from making public statements about the talks.

The existing labor agreement expired on December 31 of last year, and efforts to negotiate a new contract have been ongoing. The most recent impasse occurred when CUPE Local 375 rejected the MEA's proposal of a 20% wage increase over six years.

In response to the lockout, Canadian Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon imposed binding arbitration on November 12, requiring workers to return to their duties. However, during a Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) hearing on November 14, CUPE Local 375 requested a consensual mediation process rather than having a collective agreement imposed.

This mediation phase provides a crucial opportunity for both parties to resolve their differences and avoid further disruptions at the Port of Montreal.