Canada's Labour Minister Steve MacKinnon on Tuesday proposed the appointment of a special mediator for a 90-day period for Montreal port workers strike.

MacKinnon said that there would be no strike or lock-out during the deadline negotiation period, according to a post on X.

Talks between the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) and Montreal Longshoremen's union remain in a deadlock over wages.

Tugs are seen in the Port of Montreal in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, May 17, 2021. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi

The parties will have to submit responses to the Labour Ministry no later than Friday, Oct. 18, the MEA said in a statement.

The strike has impacted the Viau and Maisonneuve terminals, which account for about 40% of the port's container traffic.

The Montreal Longshoremen's Union did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.