A third STM union files strike notice

A sign for the STM Metro in Montreal, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

A third union representing public transit workers in Montreal has filed a strike notice.

This time, administrative and professional workers will hold a two-day strike on Nov. 19 and 21. The union represents 1,300 members at the Société de transport de Montréal (STM).

“Things are not moving forward at our bargaining table either. We are fighting to maintain the hard-won gains we have made over the years,” explained Stéphane Lamont, president of CUPE 2850.

The STM confirmed it received the union’s notice but says that it won’t have any impact on its services, unlike other strike actions. Mediation is ongoing, it added.

Bus drivers, metro operators and maintenance workers all have strike mandates this month, mostly paralyzing the city’s network. The unions are negotiating separately.

• READ MORE: Why are STM workers striking for nearly a month?

The administrative and professional workers’ union first obtained its strike mandate in May, the first in 40 years. At the heart of the dispute are the issues of subcontracting, job security and pay.

“We have done everything we could during the 42 meetings held with the employer over the past 17 months. We are now applying pressure to reach a solution,” said Lamont.

The collective agreement expired Jan. 4, 2025.

Meanwhile, bus drivers and metro operators plan on freezing all public transit — with the exception of paratransit — Nov. 15 and 16. However, the STM said it is making good progress negotiating with the union over schedules and pay.

• READ MORE: STM pushes back against union plan to offer no bus, metro service

The union representing maintenance workers, who are only maintaining rush hour services until Nov. 28, say they are still at an impasse with the employer.