4,500 STM workers to strike for first time in 38 years

A bus passes in front of the Frontenac Transport Centre of the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) in Montreal on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)

Note: This story was updated on Oct. 23 to reflect the new strike dates.

Bus drivers, subway operators, station attendants and drivers at the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) are set to hold strike days on Nov. 1, 15 and 16.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) had previously stated that the strike days would be Nov. 1, 8 and 9.

The union, representing 4,500 workers and affiliated with the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec, is a local chapter of CUPE.

In recent weeks, it has put up billboards reading: “Bus and Metro soon on strike. Thank you, STM.”

Frédéric Therrien, the union president, said that despite repeated meetings with the STM and efforts to reach an agreement, a strike became the only option.

“We gave negotiations every possible chance,” he said in the statement.

The strike is the first in 38 years. Accessible transport services will be maintained.

Among the union’s demands are improved work schedules and an end to unpaid overtime.

Therrien also said Wednesday that “if the first strike doesn’t produce results, there will be others.”

“It’s not normal that no negotiation table leads to a solution. The problem can’t be all the unions. There is only one common denominator here, and that is the STM,” he added.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Oct. 22, 2025.