STM maintenance workers announce one-day strike on May 25

A Société de transport de Montréal (STM) bus, photographed on November 14, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) maintenance workers’ union has announced a one-day strike on May 25 “unless significant progress is made at the bargaining table.”

Nearly 2,400 workers are members of this union, which belongs to the CSN-affiliated Fédération des employé(e)s des services publics. They work on bus and metro maintenance. This does not include bus drivers and metro operators, who belong to another union affiliated to the FTQ.

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The Syndicat des employés d’entretien has had a mandate for an indefinite general strike since mid-February, which was adopted by 97 per cent of its members.

This will be the union’s first day of strike action, assuming it takes place. The parties are not yet in arbitration.

The dispute concerns working hours and the use of subcontractors. The wage issue has not yet been the subject of negotiations with the transport company, the union said on Wednesday.

Contacted by email, the STM’s management said it had taken note of the strike notice. “We would like to reiterate that we are still willing to talk with the unions at the bargaining table. We will also do everything possible to minimize the impact on our customers.”

Essential services are usually maintained during public transport strikes in Montreal. It will be up to the Administrative Labour Tribunal to rule on the matter if the strike is actually held on May 25.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French April 30, 2025.