The strike that began on October 22 in the St. Lawrence Seaway could end shortly, as the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (CGVMSL) and the union representing the 360 employees concerned have managed to an agreement on Sunday.
The two parties made the announcement separately by press release in the middle of the evening on Sunday.
“We have in hand an agreement that is fair for workers and which ensures a solid and stable future for the Seaway,” declared Terence Bowles, president and CEO of the CGVMSL, in the press release from the employer side.
“We know this strike has not been easy for anyone and appreciate the patience and cooperation of our binational maritime industry partners, shipowners, shippers, ports, local communities and all those who depend on this strike. vital transportation corridor on both sides of the Canada-US border.”
The Corporation was not available for an interview on Sunday evening, indicating in particular that as the agreement must be ratified this week by employees, “it would be inappropriate to share the details.”
The organization’s vice-president, external relations, Jean Aubry-Morin, however, clarified in an email that the agreement “is both fair for workers and ensures a solid and stable future for the Seaway. »
The approximately 360 employees are represented by Unifor. Five locals of the Unifor union, two in Quebec and three in Ontario, went on strike last Sunday after voting in favor of such a mandate in a proportion of 99%.
Workers will have to vote on this agreement in the coming days. The affected units affect employees who work in the supervisory and engineering group and in the maintenance, operations and office staff group.
“For the first time in 55 years, seaway workers have made the difficult decision to strike. They did this to fight for a more respectful work environment and for a contract that reflects the current economic situation, Lana Payne, Unifor national president, said in a statement. They have shown that the best agreement is reached at the bargaining table, and I congratulate the bargaining committees for their remarkable work on behalf of their members. »
Salary was the main point in dispute.
For its part, the CGVMSL indicated that it will quickly begin the implementation of its reopening program so that employees can return to work, this Monday at 7 a.m., to allow the gradual passage of ships in the seaway.
The agreement comes after two days of mediation, which began Friday in Toronto. The parties were gathered together with the federal mediation service, in the hope of finding a resolution to the conflict which paralyzed the St. Lawrence seaway, from Montreal to Niagara, via the locks, for a week.
Several economic and political players have spoken out on the issue since last Sunday: the prime ministers of Quebec and Ontario, François Legault and Doug Ford, the Quebec Grain Producers union and business associations.
“Recognizing that this strike has not been easy for anyone, we greatly appreciate the patience and cooperation of our binational maritime industry partners; carriers, shippers, ports, local communities and all those who depend on this vital transportation corridor on both sides of the Canada-US border,” said Mr. Aubry-Morin in an email.
With information from Lia Lévesque