MONTREAL — The union engaged in what was to have been a month-long strike against Montreal’s public transit agency has suspended its job action — but another strike will shut down the system this Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 15-16.
The Syndicat du Transport de Montréal, which represents maintenance workers, began a walkout on Nov. 2 that was slated to run through Nov. 28. That forced transit agency STM (Société de transport de Montreal) to slash bus and Metro rail service to peak hours and late nights only [see “Strike to disrupt Montreal transit …,” Trains.com, Nov. 3, 2025].
But the union said in a Tuesday night news release reported by the CBC that it would suspend the strike as of 6 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, and return to the bargaining table. STM began the gradual resumption of service at 6:15 a.m.
“Our union is not insensitive, and it’s suspending the strike in order to continue negotiations while aiming for public transit to be financed in a fair way that can maintain good working conditions for the STM’s 2,400 maintenance workers,” the release said, while charging that the STM remains “inflexible.”
The move came after Quebec’s Labour Minister, Jean Boulet, sought to move up the effective date for legislation that would allow government intervention in strikes involving special services. A bill has already been passed allowing such intervention, but it does not take effect until Nov. 30.
Operators, station agents to walk out
Meanwhile, Quebec’s labor tribunal released a ruling late Wednesday allowing the union representing bus and Metro operators, as well as station agents, to strike this weekend, barring a last-minute agreement. That will shut down all transit both days except for paratransit. That strike by 4,500 workers will begin at 4 a.m. Saturday and last through 3:59 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 17.
The Montreal Gazette reports that the Tribunal administratif du travail said the union had provided a plan sufficient to ensure public safety and therefor did not constitute “a clear, imminent, and real threat to the life, safety, health or security of the population.” Administrative judge Karine Bloui noted that the strike “could have serious consequences for low-income people suffering from food insecurity,” but that does not meet the law’s standard.
The workers say they are striking over working conditions that include unpaid breaks and split shifts that do not provide pay for hours between assignments. The STM said on its website that“ intensive mediation” with the union is continuing to avoid a strike.
