Question Period Note: LOCKOUT AT THE PORT OF QUEBEC - COLLECTIVE BARGAINING BETWEEN SOCIÉTÉ DES ARRIMEURS DE QUÉBEC AND SYNDICAT DES DÉBARDEURS DU PORT DE QUÉBEC (CANADIAN UNION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES, LOCAL 2614)

Current status of the collective bargaining negotiations between Société des Arrimeurs de Québec and Syndicat des débardeurs du Port de Québec (Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 2614)

The government understands that the parties have been in dispute for a long period of time and that the employer initiated a lockout in September 2022.

The government appointed mediators from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to assist the parties in their negotiations. They have been working with the parties for more than one year.

The mediation process is ongoing and the most recent meetings took place last week. I urge the parties to continue their efforts to reach an agreement as quickly as possible.

Our government respects and has faith in the collective bargaining process.

We are monitoring the situation closely.

The Société des Arrimeurs de Québec is an association that represents employers involved in the longshoring industry at the Port of Québec.

The parties are negotiating the renewal of their collective agreement, which expired on May 31, 2022, covering all employees (85) engaged in longshoring and related work, within the territory of the Port of Québec.

On June 21, 2022, a conciliation officer from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service was appointed to assist the parties in their negotiations. Meetings with the parties were held on July 7 and August 9, 10, 12 and 17, 2022.

On June 30, 2022, the parties reached an agreement concerning the maintenance of certain activities to prevent a danger to the safety or health of the public (section 87.4 of the Canada Labour Code) and the maintenance of services to grain vessels (section 87.7(1) of the Code) in the event of a strike or lockout. This agreement was filed with the Canada Industrial Relations Board.

On August 22, 2022, a mediator was appointed to further assist the parties in their negotiations, and on May 10, 2023, a second mediator was added to the file. Meetings with the parties took place on September 8, 19-20, 23, October 4, 6, 7, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19-21, 31, November 7, 16-18, 28-30, December 1, 12, 19, 2022, January 13, 18, 24, February 28, March 1, 9-10 14-15, 17, 22, 24, 28, 29, 31, April 21, 22, 26-28, May 17-18, 23-25, 30, June 1, 28, July 14, August 4, 23-24, and September 11, 13, 14, 2023.

On August 29, 2022, the union membership voted 100% to reject the employer’s proposal to extend the collective agreement for 12 months and voted 98.53% in favour of a strike mandate.

On September 8, 2022, the union gave a notice to the employer, advising that as of midnight September 12, 2022, pressure tactics would be put in place for an indeterminate period of time, with employees refusing to work overtime and working for a maximum of eight consecutive hours per day.

On September 10, 2022, the union gave a new strike notice to the employer, advising that as of midnight September 14, 2022, for an indeterminate period of time, the employees would refuse to work overtime and would work for a maximum of six consecutive hours per day. Additionally, for a 24-hour period starting at midnight September 14, 2022, the employees would begin a slowdown. On September 11, 2022, the union advised the employer that the slowdown would be extended for a 24-hour period starting at midnight September 15, 2022. On September 12, 2022, the union advised the employer that the slowdown would be extended for a 24-hour period starting at midnight September 16, 2022.

On September 11, 2022 at 00:01 a.m., the parties acquired the legal right to strike or lockout.

On September 15, 2022 at noon, the employer initiated a lockout for an indefinite period.

The lockout is ongoing.

On May 30, 2023, the mediator met with the parties and the employer tabled a global offer. On June 7, 2023, the union membership voted 98% to reject the global offer.

The last mediation meetings were held on September 11, 13 and 14, 2023. The parties are looking to schedule additional meetings next month. The mediators remain in contact with the parties and are available to assist them in their negotiations.

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Our Government is committed to introduce a bill by the end of this year that will have the effect of prohibiting the use of replacement workers in federally regulated sectors.