Approximately 100 maintenance workers of the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) staged a protest due to stalled contract negotiations. The Syndicat du transport de Montréal, representing 2,400 workers, is frustrated by the employer's failure to table bargaining priorities and is considering further strike action, following a previous strike in mid-June. Key issues include salaries (union demands 25% raise vs. 11% offer) and outsourcing.
Frustrated by stalled talks, STM maintenance workers consider strike action
Montreal
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Approximately 100 maintenance workers of the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) staged a protest due to stalled contract negotiations. The Syndicat du transport de Montréal, representing 2,400 workers, is frustrated by the employer's failure to table bargaining priorities and is considering further strike action, following a previous strike in mid-June. Key issues include salaries (union demands 25% raise vs. 11% offer) and outsourcing.
Trending- 1 March 2024: Negotiations began.
- 2 Jan. 1 (2025): Collective agreement expired.
- 3 June 9-17 (2025): Maintenance workers walked off the job.
- 4 June 17 (2025): Mediation began after the strike ended.
- 5 July 17 (2025): Protest staged by workers.
- 6 July or August (2025): Union hopes for an agreement.
- 7 September (2025): Union warns of pressure tactics if no agreement is reached.
- Potential for renewed strike action by STM maintenance workers
- Disruption to public transit services in Montreal
- Increased pressure on the Quebec government regarding Bill 89
- Ongoing labour dispute affecting worker morale and public services
What: About 100 STM maintenance workers staged a protest over stalled contract talks with the Société de transport de Montréal (STM). The Syndicat du transport de Montréal is frustrated by the employer’s failure to table its bargaining priorities, leading to consideration of stronger pressure tactics, including another strike.
When: The protest was held Thursday afternoon (July 17, 2025). The last strike occurred from June 9 to 17 (2025). Mediation has been ongoing since June 17. The collective agreement expired on Jan. 1 (2025). Negotiations began in March 2024. The union warns of pressure tactics come September if no agreement is reached in July or August.
Where: Youville workshops (Montreal), Metro.
Why: The employer (STM) is perceived to be stalling negotiations by not presenting its bargaining priorities. The main points of dispute are salary increases (union demands 25% over five years, management offers 11%) and the STM's consideration of outsourcing maintenance work due to chronic underfunding from Quebec. The union suspects the STM may be waiting for the Quebec government to fast-track Bill 89.
How: Workers staged a protest with hot dogs, hamburgers, signs, flags, horns, and whistles. The union president, Bruno Jeannotte, expressed frustration in an interview and warned of potential renewed strike action if negotiations remain stalled.