Montreal Transit Maintenance Workers Announce Third Strike This November
Montreal’s public transit workers are set to begin their third strike this year in November. The strike, involving approximately 2,400 maintenance employees from the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), will start on Halloween night, October 31, and last until November 28. This strike follows previous walkouts that began in June.
Impact on Transit Services
During the strike, workers will halt overtime work. As a result, both bus and metro services may experience intermittent disruptions, especially outside of peak hours. However, specific details about the service interruptions have not yet been disclosed.
Reasons for the Strike
The union representing the workers cites the STM’s “inflexibility” in ongoing contract negotiations as the primary reason for the strike. The union feels that the transit agency has not made satisfactory progress, prompting the action.
Mediation Efforts
In an attempt to resolve the conflict, Labour Minister Jean Boulet took action in October by appointing a team of conciliators and mediators. This step was initiated after previous mediation efforts failed to bring the two sides closer together. However, STM management expressed disappointment over the strike, stating that the union did not allow enough time for the latest negotiation process to unfold.
- Strike Duration: October 31 to November 28
- Number of Employees: 2,400
- Previous Strikes: Two strikes since June 2023
- Mediation Date: October 2023
As November approaches, the implications of the strike will undoubtedly affect commuters throughout Montreal. The transit agency and union will need to address these issues to prevent further service disruptions and find a mutually agreeable solution.
