23 Oct 2023 | 08:44 AM UTC
Canada: Unionized maritime workers strike, closing Saint Lawrence Seaway as of Oct. 23 in Great Lakes region
Maritime worker strike closes Saint Lawrence Seaway as of Oct. 23 in Great Lakes region of Canada, US. Business disruptions are likely.
Event
Unionized marine workers affiliated with Unifor, employed by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC), are holding a strike on the St. Lawrence Seaway in Ontario and Quebec provinces as of Oct. 23 to demand wage increases. The workers operate the water locks on the Saint Lawrence River and the Welland Canal that allow maritime traffic to operate between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. The length of the strike is likely dependent on the success of negotiations.
Disruptions to business operations dependent on goods carried by ship through the Saint Lawrence Seaway are likely. Heavier demand for rail and truck shipments are likely, as goods transfers offset sea lane closures. Disruptions to industrial supply chains in the area are possible. Supporting protests near locks and canals are possible.
Advice
Make alternative plans to move ship-bourne goods. Plan for logistical disruptions.
