The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday, Aug. 13, edition that Metro's profits fell nearly 35 per cent in the third quarter due to a prolonged strike at its produce distribution center in Greater Montreal. The Globe's Susan Krashinsky Robertson writes that Metro's four month long strike in Laval, Que., has led to after-tax losses of $66-million. Workers at the facility have demanded better wages and working conditions. In late June, Metro said the union had rejected a settlement offer it put forward. The union presented a counteroffer that Metro rejected. "We're prepared to resume discussions with the union, but these discussions have to take place in a realistic framework that reflects the competitive market that we compete in," Metro chief executive officer Eric La Fleche said on Wednesday. Negotiations have been stalled for a few weeks, he said, adding that "the ball is in the union's court" to come back to the bargaining table. The employees belong to the Syndicat des travailleur(euses) des epiciers unis Metro-Richelieu–CSN. In the union's view, Metro has "all the means necessary to solve the conflict," said Conseil central du Montreal metropolitain-CSN president Bertrand Guibord.