SLSMC and Unifor reach tentative agreement

KINGSTON – A tentative agreement between St. Lawrence Seaway Managment Corporation and five Unifor locals was reached September 16 on the eve of a 72-hour strike notice.

The agreement covers 320 workers in the Maintenance and Operations, and Engineering and Supervisory groups from Unifor locals 4211, 4319, 4212, 4323, and 4320. 

Details of the tentative agreement have not been released. A ratification vote has been called for next week.

“This agreement not only recognizes the valued contributions of our employees but also supports a strong, sustainable future for the Seaway and the vital industries and communities it serves,” said Jim Athanasiou, president and CEO of the SLSMC. 

Unifor National President Lana Payne said her union’s members play a critical role operating the St. Lawrence Seaway. 

“Throughout these negotiations, they demonstrated that when workers remain united and stand together, they have real power to advance their priorities,” she said. 

Negotiations took place over severla months, with conciliation talks held in Kingston. The previous collective agreement between the Seaway and Unifor expired March 31.

The tentative contract avoided a repeat of the 2023 strike which lasted a week in October, during the busiest part of the shipping season. That strike saw about 150 cargo ships unable to transit any of the 13 locks operated by the SLSMC.

The 2023 labour deal saw a 13 per cent wage increase across the three-year deal with a $2,000 signing bonus and stricter rules about the use of outside contractors by the SLSMC.

By: Michelle Dorey Forestell, Kingstonist LJI Reporter