CUPE members at the Port of Montreal have been locked out of work after rejecting the latest offer by the employer. The offer would have created a two-tier workplace, significantly impacting the job security of younger dock workers.
The members at the Port of Montreal are fighting to get more stable schedules which will provide better work-life balance for them and their families. Despite this reasonable demand, the employer has refused to budge on the scheduling issue, which has resulted in partial job actions over the past month.
Longshore workers play an important role in the supply chain. This hard, often dangerous work keeps the ports moving, allowing Canadian businesses to participate in global markets. These workers deserve respect and a fair deal for their hard work.
Our members are willing to stop their job action with a partial deal on the scheduling issue. Despite this, the employer has decided to lock out these workers rather than coming back to the table with an offer that actually speaks to the members’ demands.
To add insult to injury, the Maritime Employers Association is now appealing to the labour minister to intervene. Any intervention by the federal government in this negotiation process would undermine the collective bargaining process and workers’ constitutionally protected rights. Minister MacKinnon should tell the MEA that if they want to get back to business as usual, they should get back to the table with a real offer.