City of Montreal professionals began an indefinite strike on Monday and won’t work evenings, nights, or weekends. Essential services are being maintained. The strike will take place Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., and then from Friday at 5 p.m. to Monday at 8 a.m. However, it began at 12:01 a.m. on the night between Sunday and Monday. There are 3,000 members of the Syndicat des professionnelles et professionnels municipaux de Montréal, a union independent of major labour federations. These professionals work in information technology, libraries, communications, finance, planning and urban development, economic development, and physical and sports activities, among other areas. The city attempted to have the strike declared illegal, arguing that it was a disguised partial strike, but the Administrative Labour Tribunal ruled otherwise. Last Friday evening, however, the Tribunal ruled that the list of essential services provided by the union was insufficient. It recommended changes to the services that better protect public health and safety. The union has since accepted those changes, according to its president, Anne Dorais. - By Lia Lévesque - This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Oct. 19, 2026.
