CUPE 375, the union representing longshore workers at Montreal, eastern Canada's largest port, has issued a 24-hour strike notice. The strike is scheduled to begin at 7 am local time on October 27th and conclude at 6:59 am local time on October 28th. This action follows ongoing industrial disputes that commenced on October 10th. A previous three-day strike, which impacted operations at the Viau and Maisonneuve (Termont) terminals, concluded on October 2nd.

The union has been unable to reach an agreement with the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) regarding a new collective agreement, as the previous one expired on December 31, 2023.

Vessel-tracking data from S&P Global indicates that only eight container ships are scheduled to arrive in Montreal in the upcoming week. These include MSC Anya, MSC Celine, MSC Levina III, MSC Sena, Hapag-Lloyd's Genoa Express and Ontario Express, CMA CGM-operated EM Kea, and OOCL St. Lawrence.

In a statement released on October 24th, the MEA expressed its disappointment with the latest industrial action. The association stated, "These pressure tactics employed by the union have led to significant operational challenges, compounding existing obstacles that are severely impacting the stability and reliability of the Port of Montreal, as well as the Quebec and Canadian supply chains."

The MEA urged the union to consider the repercussions for the Port of Montreal, which has experienced a decline in container volumes since 2022. In 2023, Montreal handled 1.5 million TEUs, a decrease from 1.7 million TEUs in 2022, with further volume reductions anticipated.