St. Lawrence Seaway shut down by strike. What you need to know
Global News
The disruption at the St. Lawrence Seaway comes after a major strike by B.C. port workers earlier this summer that halted the movement of cargo worth billions.
The St. Lawrence Seaway, a busy trade route with work sites in Ontario and Quebec, shut down on Sunday, sparking fears among business groups of another economic disruption in Canada.
Some 360 union workers walked off the job on Oct. 22 after failed contract negotiations with management.
The disruption comes after a major strike by B.C. port workers earlier this summer that halted the movement of cargo worth billions.
Here is what you need to know.
Shortly after midnight on Oct. 22, the 360 Unifor members went on strike.
Unifor said in a statement it was unable to reach a deal with the employer, the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, despite negotiations “right up to the last moment.” The union had filed a 72-hour strike notice on Oct. 18, and talks were ongoing since June.
The union had said that it remained “1,000 nautical miles apart” from management on wages, the key issue in discussions, and that it was up to the company to avoid any transit disruption.
“We negotiated in good faith right up to the last moment, but we cannot allow workers’ rights to be compromised. We remain open to discussion and hope that the employer will reconsider its position for the good of all,” said Unifor Quebec director Daniel Cloutier in a statement Sunday.