STM negotiations need flexibility to reach an agreement, says CEO

Special constables from the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) lock the doors to the Metro station as Metro and buses discontinue service due to the strike by maintenance workers in Montreal on Monday, June 9, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi)

With two weeks to go before another potential strike by Société de transport de Montréal (STM) maintenance workers, management is reiterating the need for flexibility from employees and their union.

During a press conference on Tuesday, STM CEO Marie-Claude Léonard insisted that any demands must take into account the “unprecedented” financial situation facing the organization.

• READ MORE: Contract dispute: Montreal transit employees to refuse overtime work later this month

This comes as the maintenance workers’ union announced strike action set for Sept. 22 to Oct. 5, including a refusal to work overtime and possible service interruptions during off-peak hours.

The union, affiliated with the Fédération des employé(e)s des services publics under the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (FEESP-CSN), already had members walk off the job from June 9 to 17, though essential services were maintained during rush hour.

The Administrative Labour Tribunal has yet to rule on maintaining essential services in response to this second strike notice.

In the meantime, Léonard argues that the STM is experiencing financial difficulties and, as a result, must find new ways to reduce costs.

• READ MORE: Frustrated by stalled talks, STM maintenance workers consider strike action

“I need to have employees in the right place at the right time, in a context where we are cost-effective,” she said.

As an example, she claimed that maintenance employees were often busy landscaping or removing snow rather than maintaining the Metro and buses.

“For there to be an agreement, there must be flexibility,” she concluded.

– This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Sept. 9, 2025.