STM maintenance workers’ strike starts Monday

Montrealers who rely on the bus and metro are in for a tough week, as the approximately 2,400 maintenance employees of the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) are beginning their strike on Monday.

Service disruptions are expected to last until June 17 — except during Grand Prix weekend, from June 13 to 15.

The agency’s maintenance workers are demanding better working conditions, including improved work-life balance, more respectful schedules, and fair pay.

“I support them in that, you know I think everybody deserves to feel their voice heard and feel supported by the public. So, you know all the power to them,” said one Montrealer CityNews spoke to.

But for commuters, students, and anyone without a car, this could mean scrambling for alternatives—or simply staying home.

“Unless I have to go see clients, which I’m gonna think Uber and the company will pay for it. But if it’s like today by day, yes, I will work from home,” said another Montrealer. “A lot of people that work in different sectors have to get to work because they work in production. I work behind a computer, so that I’m lucky in that sense, but not for everyone.”

On June 9, 10, and 11, buses and metros will only run during morning and afternoon rush hours, as well as late evenings, but there will be no service outside those periods. 

On June 12, regular service will operate during peak periods with an hour extended. Outside these periods, metro trains will run at half the frequency, and half of bus trips will be cancelled.

From Friday to Sunday, service will be maintained at its usual level, due to the Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit.

Finally, next Monday and Tuesday, service will be provided at 100 per cent during peak periods and at 50 per cent outside of them, but rush hours will return to their schedule at the beginning of the strike.

Paratransit service will be maintained at all times. School bus routes will also be maintained, but no service will be provided outside of peak hours from Monday to Wednesday this week.

The offer of essential services has been approved by the Administrative Labour Tribunal.

The Montreal Transit Union (CSN) justifies the strike by citing the employer’s “stubbornness” in wanting to “cut the working conditions” of maintenance workers.

It states that STM “persists in maintaining its demands regarding the creation of atypical schedules and the relocation of employees throughout its facilities.”

For its part, the STM argues that its network operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, meaning it needs employees on every shift.

It adds that its financial situation requires it to “be cost-effective” and that “this must be reflected in the current collective agreement negotiations to respect the ability of its financial backers to pay.”

“I’m afraid I’m gonna be late, because it’s intensive summer school. So if I miss a bit, I miss a lot,” said a student.

“My work is based on the show business. So I build the stages for most festivals and stuff. That’s gonna happen soon like jazz fest and stuff. So it’s not really on on the same hours as everyone else. It’s not gonna be during rush hour,” said a musician. “Hopefully we can make it through, you know, that’s that’s why we have the buses I hope the bus are still around. They’re not around?”

The union representing the STM maintenance workers, the CSN, will hold a press conference on Monday morning to share an update on negotiations.

“For those who can, we encourage you to consider, whenever possible, using active modes of transportation (walking, cycling, etc.) or working remotely during this period,” emphasizes the STM.

No compensation is provided for users who have purchased monthly or weekly passes.