Leading industry associations disappointed by lack of agreement between union and employers, call for federal government to prevent strike action at the Port of Montreal

(OTTAWA) – March 21 2021 – Today, Canada’s leading national industry associations issued the following statement regarding the vote by CUPE Local 375 at the Port of Montreal:

“Today’s news of the vote by the longshoremen’s union to reject the offer from the Maritime Employers’ Association is both disappointing and severely hampers already precarious Canadian supply chains and efforts toward economic recovery. It also threatens the economic well-being of the tens of thousands of businesses and hundreds of thousands of workers who work to move essential goods across the country.

For over a year, Canada has grappled with the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The threat of a second strike at the Port of Montreal has loomed since the first labour stoppage in August 2020. That strike, which lasted over 19 days, had negative consequences for industry even after the truce was reached. Today’s announcement may also have long-lasting effects on Canada’s economic competitiveness and global reputation as an international trading partner.

We call upon the federal Minister of Labour to immediately use all tools at her disposal to resolve and prevent any disruption of service. We must work to ensure smooth and uninterrupted operations at the port. It is critical to keeping Canadians employed, safe, and healthy throughout this tumultuous time.

About the Canadian Chamber of Commerce – Because Business Matters

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce helps build the businesses that support our families, our communities and our country. We do this by influencing government policy, by providing essential business services and by connecting businesses to information they can use, to opportunities for growth and to a network of local chambers, businesses, decision-makers and peers from across the country, in every sector of the economy and at all levels of government, as well as internationally. We are unapologetic in our support for business and the vital role it plays in building and sustaining our great nation.

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For more information, please contact:

Emily Walsh
ewalsh@chamber.ca

List of Industry Associations

Hon. Perrin Beatty, P.C., O.C.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Luke Chapman
Interim President
Beer Canada

Shannon Coombs
President
Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association

Dan Kelly
President and Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Federation of Independent Business

Ralph Suppa
President and General Manager
Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating

Bruce Rodgers
Executive Director
Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association

Dennis Darby
President and Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters

Ron Lemaire
President
Canadian Produce Marketing Association

Brian Kingston
President and Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association

Carol McGlogan
President and Chief Executive Officer
Electro-Federation Canada

Michael Graydon
Chief Executive Officer
Food, Health, and Consumer Products Canada

Derek Nighbor
President and Chief Executive Officer
Forest Products Association of Canada

John Corey
President
Freight Management Association

Sandy MacLeod
President & CEO
Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada

Kim Campbell
Chair
Importers and Exporters Canada

Lisa Kowalchuk
Executive Director
Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce

Pierre Gratton
President and Chief Executive Officer
Mining Association of Canada

David Wojcik
President and Chief Executive Officer
Mississauga Board of Trade

Cathy Campbell
President
Responsible Distribution Canada

Diane J. Brisebois
President and Chief Executive Officer
Retail Council of Canada

Christian Buhagiar
President and Chief Executive Officer
Supply Chain Canada