Canadian ports face shutdown: Trade routes at risk as deadline approaches
Montreal port operators give final offer to union workers with sunday deadline approaching. West coast ports shutdown and partial Montreal closure already affect Canadian trade flow
The port of Montreal faces a complete shutdown as terminal operators give their last-minute proposal to dock-workers. The Maritime Employers Association (MEA) set a strict deadline: if Local 375 Union dont accept the deal by sunday evening only basic services will continue
Currently two Termont terminals (making up about forty-percent of container flow) stay closed since last week due to the unionʼs walk-out. The shut-down affects around fifteen-percent of the ports total volume: this creates a bottle-neck for Canadian trade
The MEA put forward a six-year deal with a twenty-percent pay boost; the union says its reviewing the offer. Long-shore workers — who handle ship-to-shore cargo movement and dock operations — might face a complete lock-out if no agreement happens
The situation gets more complex because of whats happening out west: Vancouver port (Canadas biggest trade hub) stopped working earlier this week. While grain exports keep moving; forest products and canola-oil shipments face delays. The British Columbia port managers plan to meet with ILWU Local 514 representatives this weekend: federal mediators will join the talks
Federal Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon points out both sides need to find common ground; he shows disappointment about slow progress at both locations (east and west coast ports)
