First look at Algoma Bear!
Per Janey Anderson, Algoma Central’s new Equinox-class Algoma Bear was launched in late September by China’s Jiangsu Yangzi-Mitsui Shipbuilding Company. The vessel will be undergoing further construction and sea trials before setting sail for Canada. Algoma Bear is expected to join the fleet next season to replace the 1979-built Algoma Transport.
Boatnerd
Strike closes St. Lawrence Seaway
As the clock struck midnight on Sunday, St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) workers represented by the Canada-based union, Unifor, walked off the job at 13 Canadian locks.
The more than 350 workers representing less than 1% of the marine commerce industry in North America now hold the key to when ship traffic will again be able to navigate between the Atlantic Ocean and the upper Great Lakes.
A similar situation played out in the summer of 1968, just 9 years after the waterway opened, when more than 1,200 workers walked off the job also leading to layoffs of longshoremen and other marine-affiliated workers at various ports and shipping companies across the Great Lakes. Back then, former Executive Director Andrew W. Fleming of the Detroit-Wayne County Port Commission estimated that roughly $500,000 a day, a modern-day value of over $4 million, was being lost by Michigan business.
Both parties state they are “at an impasse” as Unifor continues to seek wage increases, while SLSMC works to find what it deems to be a fair and competitive labor agreement that balances wage demands and market realities. As a result, the system will remain shutdown until an agreement can be reached, whether it be temporary or tentative, in an effort to minimize disruption for all stakeholders.
“The stakes are high, and we are fully dedicated to finding a resolution that serves the interests of the Corporation and its employees. We remain committed to continuing discussions and reaching a fair labor agreement,” stated Terence Bowles, SLSMC President and CEO. “In these economically and geopolitically critical times, it is important that the Seaway remains a reliable transportation route for the efficient movement of essential cargoes between North America and the remainder of the world.”
Unifor National President Lana Payne expressed her disappointment in the failure of the employer to make serious movement in the past two days, saying: “This impasse is extremely unfortunate, but our members remain committed to getting a fair agreement.”
SLSMC asserts the union continues to seek wage increases patterned after the recent automotive industry negotiations.
SLSMC believes the current situation at the Seaway is vastly different than the automotive industry. In spite of the recent increases in inflation, Seaway workers over the past 20 years have negotiated salaries that the SLSMC identifies as being almost 10% ahead of inflation.
“We, at the Seaway, are very concerned with the current situation and the effect it is having on our users, stakeholders, and the people awaiting these essential cargoes”, stated Bowles on Saturday.
Currently, SLSMC is awaiting a response to its Canada Industrial Relations Board application, seeking a ruling under the Canada Labor Code for the union to provide employees during a strike, to ensure vessels engaged in the movement of grain continue transiting the system. This ruling, however, is expected to be challenged as there would be potential loopholes that would gain passage for non-grain-related movements.
Negotiations began back in June after the contract expired on March 31, 2023. A second round of discussions took place in September before parties returned to the table earlier this week.
“It’s really up to the employer at this point to seal this deal,” said Daniel Cloutier, Unifor Quebec Director. “These are jobs that require intense training, a high level of understanding of the health and safety risks, and that carry enormous responsibility for the wellbeing of seafarers and their cargo. They are irreplaceable.”
As of Sunday morning, there were approximately 100 vessels affected by the shutdown and awaiting system access, according to SLSMC. Several ships are anchored off the west and east ends of the Welland Canal, as well as the upper portions of the St. Lawrence River.
Aside from the 13 affected Canadian locks, the United States operates 2 locks on the Seaway, both in Massena, NY, which also have had to shutdown since no ship traffic is able to reach that point on the waterway. The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS), part of the US Department of Transportation, posted to social media overnight “the St. Lawrence Seaway is closed due to a Canadian worker strike. Our team worked to ensure a safe close of Eisenhower and Snell Locks in Massena, N.Y. and notified cargo operators of impacts. Updates will be provided when more information is available.”
There have been no formal comments from representatives of either county’s transportation department.
The bi-national St. Lawrence Seaway’s 15 locks (13 Canadian and 2 American) serve as the linchpin within the broader waterway, connecting the lower St. Lawrence River to the Great Lakes, enabling ships to transit between Montreal and Lake Erie, a difference in elevation of more than 550 feet (168 meters). Over 200 million tons of cargo travel on the waterway on an annual basis, generating upwards of $50 billion in economic activity.
‘The stakes are high’: St. Lawrence Seaway to remain closed as workers strike
St. Lawrence Seaway will remain closed until an agreement can be reached with striking workers, says the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation.
Currently, there are no vessels waiting to exit the system, but there are more than 100 vessels outside the system, said the SLSMC Sunday morning.
The strike deadline was a minute after midnight Sunday morning. The SLSMC said an “orderly shutdown of the system” took place during the 72-hour notice period before the strike began, allowing for vessels to safely clear the seaway system.
According to a previous statement, a strike would curtail vessels’ ability to transit through the locks at Montreal, Beauharnois, Iroquois, and the eight locks along the Welland Canal.
The 361 workers ensure the transport of ships through the seaway, particularly the locks. About 4,000 ships travel through the seaway each year, transporting a variety of goods.
As of Saturday morning, there had been 36 vessels waiting to exit the system, 22 upbound and 14 downbound, and 70 vessels outside the system.
“The stakes are high, and we are fully dedicated to finding a resolution that serves the interests of the Corporation and its employees. We remain committed to continuing discussions and reaching a fair labour agreement,” said SLSMC president and CEO Terence Bowles in a statement released just after midnight.
“In these economically and geopolitically critical times, it is important that the seaway remains a reliable transportation route for the efficient movement of essential cargoes between North America and the remainder of the world.”
The SLSMC was awaiting a response to its Canada Industrial Relations Board application, seeking a ruling under the Canada Labour Code for the union to provide employees during a strike, to ensure vessels engaged in the movement of grain continue transiting the system.
In a statement, the national president of Unifor, the union that represents the workers, said SLSMC failed make serious movement in the past two days. A 72-hour strike notice was officially filed on Oct. 18 and no resolution was reached by the 11:59 p.m. Saturday deadline.
“This impasse is extremely unfortunate, but our members remain committed to getting a fair agreement,” said Unifor national president Lana Payne.
According to SLSMC, Unifor had moved minimally from its initial position and the two parties were were unable to reach an agreement before the strike deadline.
The locals on strike include Unifor 4211, 4319, 4212, 4323 and 4320.
Locals 4212, 4323 and 4320 represent workers whose contracts expired on March 31. The three locals represent employees at the SLSMC headquarters in Cornwall, along with operational and maintenance staff members based along the seaway in Ontario and Quebec.
These contracts are not in play for the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. employees who work at the seaway’s two locks near Massena, N.Y.
The union and management met for bargaining dates on June 19-20, and Sept. 25-29, with the assistance of a conciliator. There were three more days of bargaining scheduled for next week, but Unifor announced the results of the strike votes on Oct. 12, saying 99 per cent of those who cast ballots voted to strike on Oct. 21 if a deal wasn’t reached.
A 72-hour strike notice was officially filed on Oct. 18, and despite sustained negotiating efforts, no resolution was reached by the Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11:59 p.m. deadline, according to Unifor.
The parties are at an impasse as Unifor continues to insist on wage increases inspired by “automotive-type negotiations,” said the SLSMC in its statement Sunday.
“As a result, the system will remain shut down until an agreement can be reached, whether it be temporary or tentative, as we work diligently to minimize disruption for all stakeholders.”
Obituary: Christopher J. Thompson
Christopher J. Thompson, 55 years old, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday afternoon, October 17, 2023. Chris was born on November 7, 1967 in South Bend to the late Fred Cody Henry Thompson and Barbara Rae Anderson. He has remained a lifelong resident. On July 25, 2023 in South Bend, Chris and Rose M. Borntrager were united in marriage. Along with Rose, his loving wife, Chris is survived by his son, Nicholas Thompson of Mishawaka; step-daughter, Riley Martin of Oregon; mother of his son, Laurie Thompson of South Bend; step mother, Virginia Thompson of Georgia; and brother, Wayne Thompson of South Bend. Along with his parents, Chris was preceded in death by his brother, Scott Thompson.
Chris has been a lifelong railroad model builder. He has given several presentations and clinics on his building and weathering methods at NMRA conventions amongst other places. Chris has never had his own layout, but he has always enjoyed contributing to several of his friends’ layouts including his late friend, Jack Ozanich’s Atlantic Great Eastern Railway. Chris worked in the retail hobby industry for 15 years before hiring out with Conrail, now Norfolk Southern, in 1997 so he could play with the real big trains.
Chris loved photography as a hobby and making videos of trains and ships. Within the last two years, he was able to set aside his camera and pick up his drone which added to his already incredible eye-capturing perfect shots. Chris not only had a love for trains but anything that moved including ships, planes and cars. The most memorable traits that Chris had was his great sense of humor and quick wit that made him so special. He made all interactions with him memorable. Chris has definitely left his mark behind for all to remember.
A service celebrating the life of Chris will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan Street, South Bend. Friends may visit with the family beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday morning at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Chris Thompson may be donated to the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum, 507 Mulberry Street, North Judson, IN 46366. Online condolences may be offered to Chris’s family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
