Dockworkers working at their work at the Port of Montreal have initiated an extra-hour strike to use as a strategy to pressure management during the ongoing negotiations for a contract. The strike, that involves more than 1200 workers on longshores, began around seven a.m. ET on Thursday. The strike was verified from the Maritime Employers Association (MEA). The union has listed the issue of scheduling, shifts that are not predictable as well as the fewer utilization of senior foremen as the main issues. “We’re prepared to bargain vigorously and, as the employer has been dragging his feet, we’re placing some pressure on him to dedicate his energy to finding the solution,” stated union spokesman Michel Murray.

The MEA has responded and stated that the inability to allow working overtime could seriously affect operations and, in turn impact industries, businesses as well as the general public. The move follows a three-day strike that took place last week at two terminals that impacted 41 percent of the container traffic in Canada’s second largest port. As a response to delays and vessels being rerouted, Maersk has announced a fee of $2,000 per container for shipping to Canada via Europe. The news raises questions among retailers and distributors over rising costs as well as potential issues with the supply chain. “Boats are likely to be diverted either in Vancouver and Halifax. This causes a surge of people there,” observed Lisa McEwan who is co-owner of Hemisphere Freight.

Source: The Canadian Press