Striking Old Port employees reject latest offer, vow to continue strike

Employees of the Old Port of Montreal have rejected the latest offer to end their strike.

The union representing 300 employees have been on strike for 100 days.

According to union leader Konrad Lamour, the proposal made by the mediator was similar to what the Old Port has presented in the past.

Lamour said The Old Port has offered a 9.5 per cent wage increase over four years, three times already.

The mediator proposed a 12 per cent increase over five years with a one per cent indexation on salary structures.

READ MORE: May Day marchers ask for $15/hour minimum wage

Striking employees have asked for a starting salary of $15 an hour plus sick leave for all employees.

“I think they’re not taking us seriously,” said Lamour from a picket line in Old Montreal of approximately 30 employees. “I don’t think it’s asking too much at all, I think it’s just asking for what’s fair. And if our employer thinks it’s too much, nothing is stopping them from being original or creative and proposing something different, that can be fair and we can meet half way.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I think they're not taking us seriously," said Lamour from a picket line in Old Montreal of approximately 30 employees. "I don't think it's asking too much at all, I think it's just asking for what's fair. And if our employer thinks it's too much, nothing is stopping them from being original or creative and proposing something different, that can be fair and we can meet half way."

For the Old Port, the proposed deal seemed like a way forward to normalize relations.

“We were satisfied with the offer by the mediator,” said Old Port Spokesperson Jean-Philippe Rochette.  “We accepted it, the union didn’t, so we’re going to get back to work next week and hopefully find something very shortly.”

The strike has closed off the Montreal Science Museum, a popular destination attracting 750,000 visitors annually, according to the Old Port.

READ MORE: Montreal businesses feel pinch as Old Port strike continues

“We can’t take all the responsibility on this, we’ll take some of the responsibility. We’ll own up to it,” said Lamour. “But by that same token our employer has to be responsible for their actions. And their actions are underpaying their employees, under-valuing their employees.”

While the union believed they are not being taken seriously by their employer, the Old Port said nothing is further from the truth.

“They’re employees like any employees at the Old Port,” said Rochette. “We’re looking forward to get back to normal but we need to have an offer that’s going be reasonable for both parties.”

Both sides are waiting on the mediator to restart negotiations.