On March 21, the vast majority of Port of Montreal longshoremen rejected the final offer on a collective agreement. This brought the seven-month truce between the Union and Maritime Employers Association to an end, and puts both parties in a possible strike or lockout position.
While the workers have not formally asked to strike, this remains a real possibility if an agreement is not reached. Longshoremen are without an agreement, and in the summer of 2020 took part in a 19-day work stoppage, which resulted in considerable disruption for shippers. Similarly, future stoppages are likely to result in considerable supply chain delays and increased freight costs.