Striking Quebec teachers block the Port of Montreal, cause 'significant' impact on operations
CTV
Several hundred striking FAE teachers blocked the entrance to the Port of Montreal on Thursday to put more pressure on the Quebec government to reach a deal.
Several hundred striking Fédération Autonome de l'Enseignement (FAE) teachers blocked the entrance to the Port of Montreal on Thursday to put more pressure on the Quebec government to reach a deal.
Their reason for blocking the port was simple: economics.
"The only argument the government seems to understand is money," said FAE vice-president Patrick Bydal.
"Teachers are exasperated and angry at the government's irresponsibility and are making a major economic sacrifice to save public schools. The FAE and the teachers are, therefore, calling on François Legault to assume his responsibilities and act as a head of state concerned about reaching a satisfactory agreement in principle that will meet the crying needs of teachers, but also of their students, young people and adults."
Several hundred union members formed a picket line in front of one of the entrances to the port on Thursday, causing a massive traffic jam of trucks along Notre-Dame Street and Highway 25 in Montreal's Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough.
According to the Montreal Port Authority, the demonstration had a "significant" impact on port operations.
Spokesperson Renée Larouche said between 500 and 800 trucks, or 25 per cent, "were unable to make their transactions this morning [based on daily traffic]," leading to officials adjusting their logistics throughout the day to make up for the delays.
