The union representing Port of Montreal longshore workers (CUPE 375) announced that it has notified the employer that it will refuse to work overtime starting at 7 am on Thursday, October 10, 2024 for an unlimited period.
“We are still bargaining with the help of two mediators from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service assigned to the case. We’re willing to get down to intensive negotiations, but since the employer is dragging their feet, we’re turning up the pressure so that they put forth the energy needed to find a solution,” explained CUPE union representative Michel Murray.
Talks have bogged down on how the employer manages scheduling, among other things. Members want better life-work balance.
“Longshore work is an age-old trade, but the time has come to bring it into the 21st century and modernize the archaic practices at the port. Solutions are at hand, but there must be a willingness to hear them and be at the table to negotiate them,” said Murray.
Longshore workers at the Port of Montreal have been without a collective agreement since December 31, 2023. An initial partial three-day strike took place last week.