Montreal Weekend Transit Shutdown Averted as Union, STM Reach Tentative Agreement

The weekend transit shutdown in Montreal has been averted following a tentative agreement reached late Friday between the city’s public transit agency, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), and the union representing bus drivers and Metro operators.

Details of the Agreement

The agreement was established around 7 p.m. after a week of intense negotiations. The union, SCFP 1983, which represents approximately 4,500 STM employees, confirmed the deal in a news release. Union president Frédéric Therrien stated, “Our goal was to reach a negotiated agreement, and we have achieved that.”

Ratification of the agreement is required from both the STM’s board of directors and the union’s members. STM has not disclosed specific provisions of the tentative deal until it gains approval.

Negotiation Background

This agreement comes as a relief to Montreal commuters, as a strike had been anticipated that would shut down the Metro and bus services for the weekend. Just days before the agreement, a Quebec labour tribunal had approved a two-day strike, marking the second potential shutdown this month.

Reasons for the Conflict

• The union has attributed the conflict to ongoing underfunding by the Provincial government led by François Legault.
• Negotiations usually resolve without disruption, which highlights the significance of this situation.
• A previous attempt to fast-track back-to-work legislation by Quebec Labour Minister Jean Boulet was unsuccessful due to lack of support from opposition parties, particularly Québec Solidaire.

Marie-Claude Léonard, the STM’s CEO, noted that the agreement reflects compromises from all parties involved and adheres to the financial framework in place. She expressed gratitude to the teams that contributed to this resolution, emphasizing the importance of maintaining public transit service.

Montreal’s new mayor, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, had also advocated for preventing another strike, which would have substantially affected public transport services. Following the agreement’s ratification, normal service will resume across the city’s transit network this Saturday and Sunday.