Over the course of the last year, the employer of the longshoremen working at the Port of Montreal, the Maritime Employers Association (MEA), and the union representing those workers, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), have been attempting to negotiate a new collective agreement.  Late yesterday, CUPE rejected the most recent proposal from the MEA and subsequently approved a strike mandate.  At this time, however, the required 72-hour notice period by either party has not been issued and until then, no strike action can be taken. 
 
During these negotiations, the union advised that it accepted the fact that Oceanex’s services to Newfoundland were Essential, based on a decision of the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), and that they would have to be maintained in the event of a strike by the stevedores within the Port.  This has not changed, and it has been confirmed by the MEA and CUPE that Oceanex’s service to and from Newfoundland will be maintained should a strike occur. 
 
Once again, Oceanex’s cargo operations will not be interrupted and we are not expecting any impact to our current service offering to you.