Montreal Port Authority (MPA) - The MPA would like a quick resolution of the
labour dispute between the Maritime Employers Association and its unionized
employees

MONTREAL, July 19 /CNW Telbec/ - Following the lockout announced Sunday evening by the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) within the scope of its negotiations with its unionized employees at the Port of Montreal, the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), which is not party to the conflict, regrets the inconveniences that this situation may cause to shippers, their customers and other users of port services. . The MPA hopes that the parties come to an agreement so that the port activities affected by the conflict can return to normal as soon as possible. In fact, all the Port's marine activities stopped following the lockout. Furthermore, rail operations and truck traffic were halted when picket lines went up. Consequently, no container has entered or left the Port since Monday morning.

The Montreal Port Authority's mission is to manage the MPA's infrastructure efficiently and facilitate its clients' transportation and logistical activities in order to promote trade and contribute to the prosperity of Greater Montreal, Québec and Canada.

The labour dispute involves the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) and its longshore labour force. The MEA is a nonprofit organization representing member companies involved in shipping, including ship owners, operators and agents, stevedoring contractors and terminal operators.

Pursuant to Section 34 of the Canada Labour Code, the Maritime Employers Association (MEA), on behalf of its members, negotiates and administers collective agreements covering more than 1,450 longshoremen in Toronto, Montreal and Trois-Rivières/Bécancour.

    
    About the Port of Montreal
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Operated by the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), the Port of Montreal is a major diversified transshipment centre that handles all types of goods - non-containerized cargo, liquid bulk and dry bulk. It is a leading container port served by 7 of the 10 largest container shipping lines in the world. Close to 1,250,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) were handled at the Port of Montreal in 2009, representing 11,266,000 tonnes of cargo.

The Port also handled 7,773,000 tonnes of liquid bulk, 2,898,000 tonnes of dry bulk, and 2, 419,000 tonnes of grain in 2009.

The Port of Montreal owns its own rail network, operated directly on the piers. It is connected to the two nationwide railways and a highway system. The Port also operates its own grain terminal and a marine passenger terminal that welcomed 47,534 passengers and crew members in 2009. All the other terminals are operated by private stevedoring firms. Port activity supports 18,200 jobs and generates $1.5 billion in economic spin-offs per year.

For further information: Gilles Corriveau, Maritime Employers Association (MEA), Pager: 514 221-2604, Fax: [phone], [email protected]; Jean-Paul Lejeune, Director of Communications, Montreal Port Authority, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], [email protected]; www.port-montreal.com