Canada’s Labor Tribunal Rejects Port of Montreal Employers Request
Maritime employers at the Port of Montreal had their request for dockworkers to be labeled as an essential service, rejected by the Canada Industrial Relations Board.
If the request was not rejected, it would have prohibited workers from striking.
The board explained in their ruling – citing a 2020 decision, that the employers association failed to demonstrate “imminent and series risks to the health and safety of the public” – the criteria for essential activity in the event of a strike, The Canadian Press reported.
The maritime employers at the port wanted their request approved in an effort to prevent a potential strike by the workers. This comes as their past collective agreement expired on December 31st. The dockworkers are continuing to work without a new collective agreement.
The maritime employers say they remain committed to reaching a collective agreement.
U.S. East and Gulf Coast Contract Talks
A new contract for dockworkers at the ports through the U.S. East and Gulf Coast is on the horizon, as industry stakeholders eagerly await for how these contract negotiations will play out.
The dockworker contract expires September 30th. The International Longshoreman Association (ILA) President, Harold Daggett, has stated they plan to go on a coast-wide strike, if an agreement is not reached by the end of the current contract.
Pay wages, automation, benefits and contract language are at the forefront of key issues between the union and the ports.
We discussed this in greater detail during today’s webinar, give it a listen.