STM to seek arbitration, if no deal by Nov. 15; Full shutdown looms after bus drivers, metro operators issue notice

As the STM maintenance workers’ strike enters day seven, a full transit shutdown might be on cards again on Nov. 15 and 16, after the union representing STM bus drivers and metro operators gave a strike notice late Wednesday night.

The Quebec labour tribunal (TAT) will rule on which essential services must be maintained, and whether there should even be any, based on public safety and health considerations.

The union representing 4,500 bus drivers and metro operators (CUPE Local1983) and the STM will make their case to the TAT on the union’s strike notice for Nov. 15 and 16.

With STM’s maintenance workers union representing 2,400 employees on strike from Nov. 1 to Nov. 28, if the TAT allows the bus drivers and metro operators to walk off the job, Montrealers can expect a full shutdown like they saw last Saturday.

STM’s CEO and director general Marie-Claude Léonard, at a press conference Friday morning, said that the STM will oppose a full shutdown. “Two days without service is unacceptable,” Léonard said.

She called on organizations affected by last weekend’s shutdown to write the TAT about its impact.

Léonard also provided an update on the negotiations with the unions. She said that STM representatives have been meeting with mediators and the bus drivers and metro operators’ union and that they will continue to do so over the weekend.

“We were able to work with them to find ways to save money that can be reinvested in employee salaries to improve the framework,” she said.

However, Léonard said, talks with the maintenance workers’ union was more challenging. She said STM will seek arbitration if a deal is not reached with the maintenance workers’ unions by Nov. 15.

“As an employer, arbitration is not in our best interest because a negotiated agreement is always better,” Léonard said. “But if we have no choice, and if that is what it takes to stop the pressure tactics on our customers, we will move forward.”

In response to Léonard’s deadline, Bruno Jeannotte, president of the Syndicat du transport de Montréal-CSN, placed the blame on the STM.

“We have made concessions on all of the employer’s concerns, but the STM is not budging,” Jeannotte said. “The STM says it is looking for savings, but it wants to increase subcontracting, which would inflate costs. It makes no sense.”

“Twice in the past, well, 18 months, basically two years, the union has lowered its monetary demands to show good faith, to come to an agreement,” said Bertrand Guibord, the president of the Conseil central du Montréal métropolitain–CSN.

“Unfortunately, we have not seen the same openness from STM who keeps on coming back with outsourcing demands, even on core elements of our members’ job.”

Quebec’s Labour Minister Jean Boulet is considering moving up the Nov. 30 start date of a new law limiting the right to strike that could put an end to the job action sooner. The STM says they will focus on negotiations in the meantime. 

“We’ve had a conversation and kept the labour minister up to date on the negotiations. I think it’s important to know that it is fully his decision when it comes to the bill,” said Katherine Roux Groleau, the STM’s director of public affairs.

“It’s not surprising. We were expecting that from a minister that is not there for the well-being of workers, he works for bosses,” said Guibord.

The current four-week STM transit strike that limits bus and metro service to rush hours and late at night has had an impact on businesses in the city including Bibelot, a gift shop in the Plateau.

They recently posted a video on social media explaining that they went from making $1,064 at their store last Wednesday to only $117 on Wednesday of this week. 

“Since the STM strike, we’ve seen a significant decrease in foot traffic, which is understandable. And so we did a comparison between a week apart, and you can see that it’s directly because of the strike,” said Evelyn Fernando, a co-owner of Bibelot.

Strike Schedule

Metro

Metro will operate on a restricted schedule throughout the strike period:

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

Buses

Buses will operate regular services from:

• 6:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
• 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• 11:15 p.m. to 1:15 a.m.

Note: No bus service on Saturday (Nov. 1) after 1:15 a.m.

Bus service to schools are also subject to restricted times. STM says trips to some schools will be canceled. Consult the STM’s school service page to see which schools are affected.

Paratransit Service

Paratransit service is not affected by the strike and will operate at all times.

Transit riders are advised to check the real-time schedule of services available on the STM website for the most up-to-date information.