By Marcy Nicholson and Sandrine Rastello (Bloomberg)
A partial strike scheduled to start Wednesday by Port of Montreal dockworkers threatens to increase congestion in other parts of North America and further waylay shipments at a time of surging shipping costs and delays.
Longshoremen at eastern Canada’s biggest port will work regular shifts Monday through Friday without overtime hours and refusing to work weekends. This comes after the Montreal Employers Association stated it will exercise its right to lockout, the workers’ union said, following drawn-out contract negotiations.
The port’s capacity is now expected to drop by 30%, Montreal Port Authority Chief Executive Officer Martin Imbleau said in a statement.