Fifth STM Maintenance Workers Strike Averted Through Conciliation Agreement
Montreal transit users have received a temporary reprieve from potential service disruptions, as a fifth strike by maintenance workers at the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) has been averted. The union representing 2,400 maintenance employees has agreed to halt all pressure tactics and will instead participate in conciliation sessions with STM management, scheduled to begin in the second week of March.
Background of Labor Dispute
The decision to pursue conciliation comes after nearly two years of contentious negotiations between the STM and the CSN union, which represents maintenance personnel. During this period, the two sides have held at least 138 meetings, along with 120 days of mediation and 45 days of previous conciliation sessions. The current labor dispute has already resulted in four limited strikes since June 2025, significantly impacting bus and métro services outside peak hours.
Previous strike actions included:
- Three strikes in June, September, and November 2025 that suspended all transit service outside morning and afternoon rush hours and late-night shifts
- A December 2025 overtime refusal that lasted one month and affected the STM's ability to deploy buses
Conciliation Process Explained
The upcoming conciliation sessions represent a different approach from mediation. While a conciliator will suggest strategies and make recommendations regarding specific elements of the dispute, they will not propose comprehensive solutions. This process differs from arbitration, which the STM has expressed openness to but the union has thus far rejected. Arbitration would involve both parties presenting their cases to a neutral third party who would issue a binding ruling.
In a written statement, STM CEO Marie-Claude Léonard emphasized the agency's commitment to constructive dialogue, noting that "this mutual request for a new conciliator shows a shared will to continue constructive dialogue." She added that "a negotiated agreement will always serve the best interests of the two parties."
Key Issues in Negotiations
The maintenance workers' union has identified several critical concerns in the ongoing negotiations. Primary among these is resisting the STM's proposal to subcontract maintenance work to private sector companies. The union maintains that this move would compromise job security and potentially affect service quality for Montreal transit users.
The timing of the potential strike was particularly sensitive, as the union had initially sought approval for a limited strike during the first week of March—coinciding with spring break for many schools in the region. This would have created significant transportation challenges for families and students during a period of increased mobility.
Regulatory Framework and Essential Service Designation
As public transit is designated an essential service in Quebec, any strike action by STM workers must receive approval from the Tribunal administratif du travail (TAT). The tribunal typically requires approximately seven days to review and issue decisions on strike requests, adding a layer of regulatory oversight to labor actions that could disrupt vital transportation services.
The STM has recently reached agreements with other employee groups, including drivers, métro operators, and administrative staff, in January. Léonard cited these successful negotiations as evidence that the agency can develop agreements with its employees while adhering to strict financial constraints.
Neither the STM nor the union provided additional on-the-record comments about the decision to engage a conciliator, but both parties have expressed hope that this renewed approach will lead to a negotiated settlement that addresses the concerns of maintenance workers while ensuring the continued operation of Montreal's public transit system.
