Newspaper workers picket Mirabel printing plant

Locked-out workers at the Journal de Montral picketed the newspaper's Mirabel printing plant Monday night, delaying delivery trucks.

About 100 employees travelled to the plant north of Montreal late in the evening for the overnight protest.

They blocked delivery trucks leaving the premises with copies of the morning newspaper.

Mirabel police called provincial authorities for backup around 11 p.m., said provincial police Sgt. Gregory Gomez del Prado.

"Our officers went on the scene, we had a team there that was ready to intervene," but the protesters dispersed around 4:30 a.m. and police "didn't have to intervene at all," he said.

The protest means copies of the Journal and Montreal newspaper Le Devoir also printed at the Quebecor plant in Mirabel may be delivered late on Tuesday, officials said.

About 250 workers atthe Journal have been locked out since last January.

Employees and management are at odds over job layoffs, salaries, and benefits.