In an escalating labor dispute that threatens to disrupt Montreal’s public transportation system, transit employees announced Thursday they will refuse all overtime work beginning next week, potentially creating significant service gaps across the city’s bus and metro networks.
The Syndicat du Transport de Montréal (STM), representing nearly 4,500 transit operators and maintenance workers, voted overwhelmingly to reject overtime shifts starting April 22 as negotiations with the transit authority reach a critical impasse.
“This isn’t a decision our members have taken lightly,” said François Lemieux, president of the STM union. “After months of stalled negotiations and growing frustration, workers feel they have no choice but to take this action to have their voices heard.”
The dispute centers around several key issues including wage increases, scheduling flexibility, and working conditions that union representatives describe as “increasingly demanding.” According to internal documents obtained by CO24 News, the transit authority relies heavily on overtime shifts to maintain regular service levels, with approximately 18% of all scheduled routes dependent on workers accepting extra hours.
Montreal’s transit system, which serves over 1.5 million daily riders, has already been operating under strain following pandemic-related budget cuts and staffing shortages. The STM management issued a statement acknowledging the potential service impact while urging union leadership to return to the negotiating table.
“We recognize our employees’ right to express their concerns, but this action will unfortunately penalize the thousands of Montrealers who depend on public transit daily,” said Sophie Tremblay, communications director for the STM. “We remain committed to finding a resolution that balances worker concerns with our financial realities.”
City officials are scrambling to assess the potential impact and develop contingency plans. Mayor Valérie Plante addressed the situation during a press conference yesterday, emphasizing the essential nature of public transportation to Canada’s second-largest city.
“We understand there are legitimate concerns from workers, but we must find solutions that don’t compromise the mobility of Montrealers,” Plante stated. “I’m calling on both parties to intensify negotiations and avoid any disruption to service.”
Transit experts predict the overtime refusal could reduce service by up to 20% during peak hours, particularly affecting suburban routes and weekend service. Dr. Martin Cohen, transportation policy researcher at Université de Montréal, believes the dispute highlights structural issues within the system.
“Montreal’s transit network, like many across North America, has become overly dependent on overtime to maintain basic service levels,” Cohen explained. “This creates an unsustainable situation where both management and workers are caught in a cycle that ultimately threatens service reliability.”
Union representatives indicate they’re prepared to escalate measures if significant progress isn’t made in negotiations. The current collective agreement expired in January, and while talks have continued, both sides report fundamental disagreements on key issues.
For commuters like Isabelle Tremblay, who relies on public transit for her daily commute from Laval to downtown Montreal, the potential disruption creates significant anxiety.
“I don’t have alternative transportation options,” Tremblay said. “If bus service becomes unreliable, I honestly don’t know how I’ll get to work consistently.”
This labor action comes amid broader political tensions surrounding public transit funding across Canada, with federal and provincial governments facing pressure to increase support for urban transportation networks facing post-pandemic ridership challenges and escalating operational costs.
As Montreal braces for potential service disruptions, the question remains: can city officials broker a compromise that addresses worker concerns while preserving the transportation lifeline so essential to the city’s economic and social functioning?
