Simply while you thought Montreal transit customers would possibly catch a break, it appears to be like like we’re heading into spherical 5.
Société de transport de Montréal (STM) upkeep staff are gearing up for another limited strike after negotiations with administration seem to have stalled fully. And it may occur as quickly as subsequent month.
Talking with The Gazette this week, Bruno Jeannotte, president of the union representing upkeep staff, stated the STM has refused to return to the negotiation desk for the previous two weeks. He plans to satisfy with the Tribunal administratif du travail (TAT) subsequent week to request authorization for brand new strike motion.
“There is not a lot left to settle at this level,” Jeannotte advised The Gazette, including that the principle sticking factors are wage and the STM’s push to subcontract sure duties to the non-public sector.
The place negotiations stand
The STM and its upkeep union have been negotiating since March 2024.
In a February 12 bulletin to Syndicat du transport de Montréal members, upkeep staff had been advised the STM has pulled again from earlier monetary discussions and is sticking to a five-year wage proposal that union management considers insufficient.
Past wage, two key points stay unresolved: proposed modifications to office harm advantages and the STM’s push to subcontract sure cleansing and upkeep work to the non-public sector.
In the identical bulletin, the union accused administration of making an attempt to weaken protections within the collective settlement and of awarding exterior contracts for work it says members are absolutely certified to carry out.
The message to staff was blunt.
“Our work is price extra. Our positive aspects are usually not on the market. Our solidarity, our energy!”
Union leaders additionally say they’re getting ready stress ways within the coming weeks if a deal cannot be reached.
One other strike in an extended line of strikes
If this sounds acquainted, it is as a result of it’s.
This may be the fifth restricted strike by Montreal transit upkeep staff since June 2025. The primary three strikes — in June, September, and November — lower all bus and metro service exterior of morning and afternoon rush hours. Then, in December, the union refused to work overtime for a month, which affected the STM’s capability to get buses onto the street.
Whereas extra time upkeep work resumed on January 11, no settlement has been reached with the union but.
What occurs subsequent
Transit is taken into account an important service, and any strike motion have to be authorized by the TAT. The tribunal usually takes about seven days to challenge its selections.
If the union’s newest work motion is authorized, the strike would seemingly happen within the first week of March.
For now, riders ought to regulate stm.info for official updates because the state of affairs develops.