Montreal's two major container docks, which handle cargo for Mediterranean Shipping (MSC), will face a stoppage this week as local dock workers voted to approve an indefinite strike targeting nearly half the port's container capacity. Termont International received a notice from Canadian Public Employees' Union (CUPE) Local 375 on Monday announcing that Montreal's two container docks at Maisonneuve and Viau will begin an indefinite strike beginning Thursday at 11 am local time. The dock operator is now advising shippers to withdraw cargo from the two docks before Wednesday evening to reduce the risk of delays.
The shutdowns at these two docks will affect the Port of Montreal's momentum, leaving more than 100 million standard cases in the processing capacity of more than 230 million standard cases per year. The two remaining international container terminals in Port Montreal, Lasin and Castres, were not affected by the strike. Termont is a joint venture formed jointly by MSC Docks Investments Limited, SSA Marine and Canadian unloader Logistec to handle MSC's transatlantic shipping and services on the South North Line to Montreal, covering several routes such as Italy, Mexico and US Gulf ports, including the Italy to Montreal express route, Canadian Mediterranean Service and Canadian Gulf Bridge Service, etc.
MSC's latest schedule shows that at least four ships — Anya, Celine, Nahara and England — are scheduled to arrive at Termont Pier this weekend. In addition, two other ships — Levina III and OOCL St. Lawrence — will stop at other docks in Montreal.
This labor action by Local 375 further magnifies the pressure on the Maritime Employers Association (MEA). The MEA and Local 375, which represents 1,200 dock workers at the port, has not yet reached an agreement on a new contract. Local 375 has already taken a strike against overtime in early October and implemented a three-day stoppage at Viau and Maisonneuve docks, and a one-day strike across Hong Kong last Sunday, indicating that the union's pressure strategy is stepping up.
