STM strike: reduced service in effect until Nov. 28

An Societe de transport de Montreal (STM) mechanic protests outside their facility in Montreal on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. A transit strike by the maintenance workers is expected to limit service to morning and evening rush hours on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Montreal public transit users aren’t out of the woods yet.

After a day that saw the city’s transit network completely paralyzed, service is being reduced starting Sunday and will remain limited until Nov. 28.

On Saturday, 4,500 bus drivers and metro operators with the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) walked off the job for the first time since 1987 — but only for one day. However, they’re threatening to strike again on Nov. 15 and 16 if no progress is made at the bargaining table.

Bus drivers and metro operators returned to work Sunday, but 2,400 maintenance employees continued the strike they launched last Friday, resulting in reduced service until Nov. 28.

Essential service levels for buses are scheduled from 6:15 to 9:15 a.m., 3 to 6 p.m., and 11:15 p.m. to 1:15 a.m.

For the metro, essential service will operate from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m., 2:45 to 5:45 p.m., and 11 p.m. until closing.

Mediation between the STM and the maintenance workers’ union was put on hold after a meeting Friday morning failed to yield substantial progress.

During a news conference Friday, STM director general Marie-Claude Léonard said she hopes enough progress can be made to shorten the 28-day strike.

“Let’s be clear: nobody wants a strike this long. We’re doing everything in our power to end it as quickly as possible,” she said.

The union, part of the Fédération des employés des services publics (affiliated with the CSN), is now on its third strike. It previously walked off the job for nine days from June 9 to 17, and again for 14 days from Sept. 21 to Oct. 5.

Subcontracting and wages remain the main sticking points.

The STM, which says it is facing an “unprecedented” financial situation, argues it needs greater flexibility and must cut costs.

The union counters that subcontracting only leads to short-term savings and that private contractors eventually raise their fees or prices.

With files from Lia Lévesque

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Nov. 2, 2025.