St. Lawrence Seaway workers have a tentative deal with the waterway's management corporation, ending a weeklong strike that halted the transport of goods through the system.
The 360 workers, who help operate 13 locks on the Canadian side of the seaway, began the strike on Oct. 22 after finding themselves at an impasse with the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation over wage increases. They were represented by UNIFOR, a Canadian union.
In a release, UNIFOR did not reveal the specifics of the agreement but said the deal will be made public once it is ratified.
“For the first time in 55 years seaway workers took the very hard decision to go on strike,” UNIFOR National President Lana Payne said in a release. “They did so to fight for a more respectful workplace and for an agreement that reflects today’s economic times. They have shown that the best deal is reached at the bargaining table, and I congratulate the committee on their outstanding work on behalf of their members.”
Mike Steenhoek, the executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, said in a statement that while less than 1% of U.S. soybean exports are transported down the seaway, which connects the Great Lakes of the U.S. to Atlantic shipping routes, it could develop a larger role as a shipping route amid shipping challenges posed by low water levels the Mississippi River, another important waterway for Midwestern growers.
“During this time of supply chain challenges and uncertainty, we are pleased the two parties arrived at an agreement so that the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway can be a viable option for the U.S. soybean industry to meet the needs of our international customers,” Steenhoek said in the statement.
It’s easy to be “in the know” about what’s happening in Washington, D.C. Sign up for a FREE month of Agri-Pulse news! Simply click here.
Employees resumed working at 7 a.m. Monday morning, the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation said in a release.
“We have in hand an agreement that’s fair for workers and secures a strong and stable future for the Seaway,” said SLSMC President and CEO Terence Bowles. “We know that this strike has not been easy for anyone, and value the patience and cooperation of our marine industry binational partners; carriers, shippers, ports, local communities and all those who depend on this vital transportation corridor on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border.”
For more news, go to Agri-Pulse.com.
