(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
[email protected]
