STM faces major service disruptions as November strike looms

A transit user reads the restricted hours of operation on a locked door to the metro station due to a strike by the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) maintenance workers in Montreal on Monday, June 9, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Montreal’s public transit agency will offer only limited service if workers go on strike for almost the entire month of November.

Quebec’s labour tribunal confirmed Wednesday that its essential services ruling will remain in effect during the municipal election on Nov. 2.

This would mark the third strike this year by workers at the Société de transport de Montréal (STM).

The Syndicat du transport de Montréal–CSN, which represents 2,400 maintenance workers, said that ahead of what could be “the longest strike in STM history,” the union is focused on reaching a satisfactory agreement.

“If the STM continues to take a hard line, remain inflexible and sit on its hands, it will be solely responsible for this strike, which could still be avoided,” the union said in a statement.

“We recognize that a 28-day strike, with service maintained during rush hours, would have a major impact. But after more than 115 negotiation meetings and facing an employer that shows no intention of resolving the labour dispute, we must continue to increase the pressure.”

Limited service seven days a week

Metro service will run daily during rush hours, from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m., 2:45 to 5:45 p.m., and from 11 p.m. until closing.

The metro will gradually close starting at 9:30 a.m. and at 5:45 p.m.

The metro system will close at its regular time, and individual stations will close as the last train departs.

STM buses will run from 6:15 to 9:15 a.m., 3 to 6 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. to 1:15 a.m.

Paratransit service will be maintained at all times.

STM drivers and operators to also strike in November

The tribunal said it will issue its decision later this week on a separate potential strike by STM drivers, operators and station agents, which is scheduled to begin Nov. 1, according to the transit agency.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), affiliated with the FTQ and representing 4,500 workers, asked the tribunal for permission to strike without providing essential services other than paratransit. If approved, it would mean no metro or bus service as of Saturday.

However, Aéroports de Montréal has asked the tribunal to maintain the 747 bus line, which provides service to Montreal–Trudeau Airport.

The strike is scheduled to take place from 4 a.m. Saturday until 3:59 a.m. Sunday.

The STM added that it has not received an official strike notice for Nov. 15 and 16 from the union.