Montreal’s public transit authority is holding a news conference this morning at 9 a.m. to provide an update about the looming strikes, including a complete shutdown of the system Saturday and a month-long reduction in services set to start tonight.
Unless a deal is reached, bus and Metro service will be completely halted on Saturday from 4 a.m. to just before 4 a.m. on Sunday when the union representing drivers, Metro operators and station agents goes on strike for 24 hours.
Quebec’s labour tribunal approved that strike Thursday evening. Adapted transit service will be maintained.
But that’s not the only upcoming strike.
The Syndicat du transport de Montréal, the union which represents 2,400 maintenance employees at the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), has been authorized to strike for four weeks from 10 p.m. tonight to 10 p.m. on Nov. 28.
During that entire period, only rush-hour service will be kept, but paratransit services will be fully maintained.
The union has already gone on strike twice so far this year. This third strike will be the longest yet. The only thing that could stop the strike is if the STM and union reach a deal before the 10 p.m. deadline.
If the strike goes forward, buses will run normally from 6:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. and again from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Night bus service will run from 11:15 p.m. to 1:15 a.m.
For Metros, they will run normally from 6:30 a.m. to 9:40 a.m and again from 2:45 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. Night Metro service will run from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.
In a statement, the president of the maintenance workers’ union, Bruno Jeannotte, said the union is aware the strike could have a major impact and is putting “all our energy” into reaching an agreement. But he also accuses the STM of holding a hard line
The drivers’ union, the Syndicat des chauffeurs, opérateurs et employés des services connexes (SCFP 1983), has also filed a strike notice that could affect bus and Metro service on Nov. 15 and 16.
The STM has said it doesn’t have money to meet the unions’ demands, and it will cut 300 jobs. The STM recommends commuters stay updated on schedule changes by checking its website.
