Another labour conflict is brewing in the maritime transport sector in Montreal, and this time, it involves MtlLINK, a company that provides port logistics and container transshipment services at the Montreal Port.

“We are getting ready for a strike that will begin on April 2, 2019. Unfortunately, MtlLINK is offering wage conditions far under market when compared with the other companies. It’s insulting, especially since MtlLINK belongs to Logistec Stevedoring Inc., a maritime terminal operation multinational that is very profitable,” said Jean-Pierre Proulx, CUPE union representative.

MtlLINK is offering wages starting at $16 an hour with increases of 1% per year over seven years.

“That’s clearly under the inflation rate. The employer not only doesn’t want to offer fair compensation, but they want to make our membership poorer in the process,” added Proulx.

“The employer is also asking to change the schedule as it sees fit, and now wants workers to come in on weekends. At this time, all schedules run from Monday to Friday. It’s impossible to achieve work-life balance under those circumstances,” he added.

Last February 23, the 21 members of the Syndicat des travailleurs de MtlLINK (CUPE 5376) voted 100% in favour of pressure tactics up to and including strike action.