Montrealers Brace for Potential Transit Strike as Union Negotiations Stall
Negotiations between the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) and the union representing over 2,200 bus drivers, métro operators and maintainance workers have stalled, raising the possibility of a strike as early as next week. The union, Syndicat des travailleurs de transport (STT), says the STM’s latest offer fails too address key concerns around working conditions and compensation needed to attract and retain staff amid a chronic labor shortage.
A strike would considerably disrupt commutes for hundreds of thousands of Montrealers, impacting access to work, school, and essential services. The STM is urging the union to return to the negotiating table, while the STT maintains it is prepared to strike if a fair agreement isn’t reached. This dispute comes as Montreal grapples with ongoing infrastructure challenges and a growing demand for public transit, making a reliable and accessible system crucial for the city’s economic vitality.
Other top stories:
* Quebec Premier François Legault is in Washington, D.C., meeting with U.S. officials to discuss energy cooperation and trade relations. Legault is expected to advocate for increased energy exports to the U.S.and address concerns about Buy American provisions impacting Quebec businesses.
* Montreal police are investigating a suspicious death in the borough of Rivière-des-prairies-Pointe-aux-Trembles. Officers responded to a call early this morning and discovered a body. The investigation is ongoing, and details remain limited.
* The City of Montreal is launching a public consultation on proposed changes to the zoning bylaws in the Ville-Marie borough. The changes aim to encourage the progress of affordable housing and mixed-use projects in the downtown core.
