STM maintenance workers’ strike: Service to be interrupted during off-peak hours Sept. 22 to Oct. 5

Unionized STM maintenance workers will walk off the job for two weeks starting Sept. 22, and thousands of Montreal transit users are being warned to expect service interruptions.

On Wednesday, the Administrative Labour Tribunal set out the essential services that must be maintained during the strike, which runs until Oct. 5.

The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) is urging riders to plan trips in advance and check schedules at stm.info/greve.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the metro will run during the following hours:

• 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
• 2:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
• 11 p.m. until closing

The system will gradually close after the morning rush hour starting at 9:30 a.m., and again after the afternoon rush starting at 5:45 p.m. It will close at its regular late-night time.

On Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, the metro will operate on its usual schedule.

Bus service will also be limited on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to the following windows:

• Until 1:15 a.m.
• 6:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
• 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Starting again at 11:15 p.m.

Any buses that depart during those times will complete their routes. On other days, service will follow the regular schedule.

Adapted transport service will be maintained at all times.

The STM said it learned lessons from a strike in June, which saw 2,400 workers walk off the job for nine days, and has improved its communications with customers.

Updated schedules for the last train at each metro station will be available online and posted in stations.

Negotiations between the union and management are continuing with a mediator appointed months ago by the Quebec government.

Key points of contention include the STM’s push for non-traditional schedules in evenings, nights and weekends, as well as the ability to move employees between sites to make greater use of subcontracting and privatization.

Salary issues also remain unresolved.

The transit agency will hold a press briefing Thursday afternoon to outline the impact of the strike and provide details on essential services.