Montrealers relieved as last-minute deal averts STM weekend shutdown
Posted November 15, 2025 3:40 pm.
Last Updated November 15, 2025 6:10 pm.
Montreal transit riders can breathe easier this weekend as the planned transit shutdown was called off late Friday evening.
A last-minute deal was reached between the STM and the union representing 4,500 bus drivers and metro operators (SCFP Local 1983), avoiding the strike planned for Saturday and Sunday.
Busses and metro service are running their regular schedule as the union members prepare to vote on the tentative agreement.
Montrealers welcomed the news of strike being cancelled.
Keith Holland said, “I’ve spent so much money on Ubers, and I don’t want to spend money on Ubers anymore so I’m happy that it’s back running.”
Carla Aguilar said she felt calm with the service operational.
“I can do my activities, and when there’s a strike, you can’t… You can’t move. That’s complicated,” Aguilar said.
“I think that a lot of people were a bit angry,” said Marine Monlouis. “I’m happy for them that the metro is normally moved back.”
After seven days of intensive talks, SCFP Local 1983 says it reached a tentative deal with STM management around 7 p.m. Friday. The union says the details are being kept under wraps until members review it, with a vote expected by the end of the year.
For its part, the STM also declined to provide details about the agreement which needs to be ratified by the transit agency’s board of directors.
Newly elected mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada also welcomed the news.
“I think the pressure came from Montreal citizens, who expected that the entire transportation system wouldn’t be entirely shut down a second time,” Martinez Ferrada said.
She had previously warned both sides they needed to reach a deal by Nov. 15 to avoid further disruptions
“Good agreements are the ones negotiated at the table,” she said.
Negotations with maintenance workers’ union ongoing
Meanwhile, mediation with the maintenance workers’ union continues. “STM remains fully committed to the mediation process and hopes to reach an agreement that addresses its need for flexibility while respecting its ability to pay and its unprecedented current financial context,” said management in the press release Friday night.
On Friday morning, that union said there was no news for the moment and that negotiations were still taking place.
Service gradually returned to normal on Wednesday after the maintenance workers’ union, which had been on strike since Nov. 1, suspended its strike in anticipation of government intervention.
The union, Syndicat du transport de Montréal-CSN representing 2,400 maintenance workers, began a strike on the evening of Oct. 31. It was scheduled to continue until Nov. 28, before being suspended late Tuesday evening, after a dozen days of walkouts, with only essential services provided during rush hour.
The STM said that the three offers, including salary improvements along with cost-saving measures, were rejected by the maintenance workers union. But, added that negotiations were ongoing.
“Even though those offers were rejected, we’re not giving up,” the STM said. “A negotiated agreement remains the best outcome for everyone. We are still in mediation. We’ll reassess the situation at the end of the mediation period which is Nov. 28.”
Fourth union goes on strike
On Friday, the Labour tribunal (TAT) ratified an agreement on essential services that had been reached between the STM and another union that announced a strike day on Nov. 19.
This time, it is the union of administrative, technical and professional staff of the STM that will strike.
The agreement on essential services reached between the parties stipulates that 33 employees from all job categories will provide essential services, either on-site or remotely.
This union, which is also a local branch of the CUPE, affiliated with the FTQ, just like the union that represents bus drivers and metro operators, has 1,316 members.
-With files from The Canadian Press
