The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) faces another significant labour disruption as its maintenance workers have announced a new strike set to begin on December 11, 2025. This latest industrial action threatens to impact the city's bus and metro services during the busy holiday season.
Details of the Upcoming Labour Action
The Canadian Press and journalist Lia Lévesque reported the strike notice on December 2, 2025. The workers involved are crucial for keeping the STM's fleet of buses and metro cars in safe operating condition. Their responsibilities include routine repairs, preventative maintenance, and emergency fixes, meaning a prolonged strike could lead to service reductions or reliability issues for Montreal commuters.
This is not the first labour challenge the public transit operator has faced this year. The announcement signals a deepening dispute between the union representing the maintenance staff and the STM management. While the exact points of contention have not been detailed in the initial report, such strikes typically revolve around wages, working conditions, or job security.
Potential Impact on Montreal Commuters
A strike by maintenance personnel poses a unique threat to transit service continuity. Unlike a walkout by drivers or station agents, the effects may not be immediate but can snowball quickly. Delays in repairs and inspections can lead to more vehicles being taken out of service for safety reasons, gradually reducing the number available for daily routes.
The timing, just two weeks before Christmas, is particularly sensitive. It coincides with increased shopping traffic, holiday events, and challenging winter weather conditions that demand fully operational and reliable public transit. Commuters are advised to monitor STM updates closely and consider alternative travel plans as the strike date approaches.
Context and Looking Ahead
The STM is a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of Montreal residents daily. This impending strike adds to a series of recent transit-related headlines across Canada, underscoring the broader challenges facing urban transportation systems. The union's decision to set a strike date indicates that negotiations have likely reached an impasse.
All eyes will now be on the bargaining table in the days leading up to December 11. There is still a window for the STM and the union to reach a last-minute agreement and avert the strike. However, with the deadline now public, passengers must prepare for the possibility of significant disruptions to Montreal's bus and metro network as early as next week.
