Contract negotiations between the Canadian company managing the St. Lawrence Seaway in Ontario and Unifor (the trade union representing workers at the seaway) are scheduled to resume on the morning of October 27.

According to The Wall Street Journal, talks between the two sides regarding increased wages broke down during the weekend of October 21, which led to about 360 workers who operate bridges, lock systems and other infrastructure along the seaway walking off the job shortly after midnight on October 22.

The company managing the seaway and the union met separately with Canadian Labor Minister Seamus O’Regan and Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez on October 22. Both officials advised the sides to return to the bargaining table. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has also urged the government to intervene in the walkouts because it said the strike poses a risk to the country’s economy.

A Unifor spokesperson said that the union is still open to a new offer from St. Lawrence Seaway Management, a non-profit entity that manages the movement of marine traffic through the seaway's facilities.

St. Lawrence Seaway Management said that the strike affects both U.S. and Canadian supply chains, and that various trade groups have contacted the organization with concerns about delays regarding the delivery of essential cargo.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce estimates the seaway participates in over $24 million daily in economic activities.