(Reuters) -The Port of Montreal said on Friday customers would experience an operational slowdown after a union announced a three-day strike next week at two terminals that handle 41% of container traffic.
“The uncertainty surrounding our operations will have a domino effect, both on importers and exporters who rely on the transportation of goods, and on the general public,” Port Authority President Julie Gascon said in a statement.
Nearly C$6 billion worth of goods would arrive in the coming weeks, she said.
In a statement, federal Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon said the port is critical to Canada’s supply chains, adding that he was closely monitoring the situation.
The strike will start at 7am (11am GMT) on Monday. The workers are demanding higher wages.
Montreal is the largest container port in eastern Canada, accounting for 3.5% of Canada’s GDP in 2022, Gascon said.
