Ottawa, October 27, 2024 - The Port of Montreal longshoremen's union’s latest decision to call a one-day strike shows their blatant disregard for how their actions impact small- and medium-sized businesses and the broader economy. On top of its current overtime strike, the union had already held a three-day strike earlier this month.
The only reason the longshoremen are striking is because they can. They have no remorse for the economic harm and uncertainty their actions are causing. Canada's SMEs are once again the collateral damage of the union's irresponsible actions. Unfortunately, labor laws are so heavily weighted in favor of the big unions that the Port of Montreal’s longshoremen could carry out these rotating strikes for as long as their mandate lasts. This is especially worrisome as we enter the holiday shopping season and retailers across the country are relying on a functional, stable and predictable supply chain.
It's time the federal government made ports an essential service, so that they remain operational at all times. This will protect our supply chain and our SMEs and will make labour actions like we are seeing at the Port of Montreal impossible.
- Jasmin Guenette, Vice-President, National Affairs, CFIB
For media enquiries or interviews, please contact:
Dariya Baiguzhiyeva, CFIB
647-464-2814
public.affairs@cfib.ca
About CFIB
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 97,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca.
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