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Port of Montreal workers at 2 terminals start new strike, company group says

Unionized employees started a limitless strike at two terminals of the port of Montreal on Thursday amid stalled talks on a new labor contract, the employers' association said.

The strike affects 2 terminals run by Termont, which handle about 40% of the port's container traffic however just about 15% of the port's overall volumes.

In a statement, the Maritime Employers Association got in touch with federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon to intervene to bring celebrations back to the negotiating table.

The unpredictability caused by this long hold-up and the reoccurrence of labor disagreements are impacting the Quebec and Canadian economies, and Canada's reputation as a reliable and resilient trading partner, stated the Maritime Employers Association when the strike commenced on Thursday.

Commodities like Western Canadian pulse crops are considerable users of the terminals.

The union has stated that it has focused actions on Termont due to the fact that of employer-specific grievances.

Termont is targeted due to the fact that it is the only company at the Port of Montreal to modify schedules in a punitive way, Canadian Union of Public Worker 375, which represents the longshore employees, said on Oct. 28.

Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon stated the federal government stayed ready to aid with mediation.

Celebrations should discover a process resulting in a worked out arrangement as quickly as possible. Federal arbitrators and Minister MacKinnon remain offered to assist them, and we continue to monitor the scenario closely, MacKinnon stated in a statement.

The employer's association formerly requested for federal intervention.

(source: Reuters)