July 22, 2010
Lisa Raitt, Canada's Minister of Labour, has referred the issue of the port lockout to the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB). This action was taken in part in response to concerns raised regarding the supply of goods to Newfoundland and Labrador.
About half of the goods destined for Newfoundland go through Montreal's port.
“The government's priority is to protect Canadians,” said Minister Raitt in a press release. “I have asked the Board to examine the issue of maintenance of activities at the Port of Montreal. We must ensure that the health and safety of the public are not jeopardized.
Under the Canada Labour Code, the CIRB, upon referral by the Minister during a labour dispute, may issue binding orders with respect to the maintenance of activities to ensure a work stoppage does not threaten public safety or health. In the Port of Montreal case, the parties have not reached their own "maintenance of activities" agreement.
The CIRB is an independent, representational, quasi-judicial tribunal. Its mandate is to interpret and apply the provisions of Part I of the Canada Labour Code, which deals with collective bargaining and unfair labour practices.
“The best solution in any dispute is the one the parties reach themselves,” Minister Raitt said. “I urge the parties to reach a negotiated agreement as soon as possible."
CUPE Local 375, the Longshoremen's Union, and the Maritime Employers Association, which represents shipping lines and negotiates with the port workers, will meet with CIRB officials on July 24.
The MEA announced the lockout on July 18. The labour dispute revolves mainly around job security issues.
The union has been without a contract since Dec. 31, 2008. Both parties have been in mediation for a number of months.
Oh behalf its members, the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association has written letters to Minister Raitt and Quebec Premier Jean Charest urging them to take action to get the port back to work. Copies were sent to the federal Minister of Transport, the Shipping Federation of Canada and the Montreal Port Authority.
“The situation will quickly become critical if a resolution is not found immediately,” said CIFFA in its eBulletin of July 22. “The work stoppage at the port and subsequent cascading of problems has already negatively impacted the ability of Canada’s international traders to compete in the global marketplace. If the port remains closed to container traffic much longer, the consequences will be significant.”