Picket lines have been set up at two locations in Ontario and Quebec Source: Unifor

Strike action has begun by Unifor on the St. Lawrence Seaway.

256 members with five locals, 4211,4212, and 4323 in Ontario, and 4211 and 4319 Quebec hit the picket lines at midnight on Saturday after negotiations with management failed.

Unifor National President Lana Payne, in the immediate hours following the establishment of the picket lines, expressed her disappointment with the outcome.

“This impasse is extremely unfortunate but our members remain committed to getting a fair agreement.”

Wages are the primary sticking point.

The seaway is a critical route for shipping with more than 200 million tonnes of cargo being transported through the route every year.