Metro and bus service will be constrained to rush hour only for nearly the entire month of November, Quebec’s labour tribunal ruled on Wednesday — if no deal is reached between the STM and its maintenance workers.
The union, the Syndicat du transport de Montréal, which represents 2,400 maintenance employees at the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), has announced its intention to strike for four weeks beginning Friday, Oct. 31 at 10 p.m.
The union has already gone on strike twice so far this year.
This threatened strike is longer than the last two. It will last until Nov. 28 at 10 p.m.
The STM had asked the labour tribunal to have the striking workers maintain regular service on Sunday, Nov. 2, for the municipal election, but in a decision delivered Wednesday, the tribunal made no exception.
“Although the tribunal understands the STM’s concerns regarding the conduct of the municipal election day on Nov. 2, the STM does not demonstrate how public health or safety would be endangered by the strike,” the ruling states.
Judge François Beaubien ruled the strike will not prevent citizens from exercising their right to vote since most of the 450 polling stations are within walking distance of their homes.
The tribunal officially authorized the union to strike for the entire four weeks and said only rush-hour service would be kept during that entire period, but paratransit services will be fully maintained.
Strike hours
Buses will run normally during the strike 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.
Union says STM could avoid strike
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.
“If the STM holds its hard line, remains inflexible and continues to sit on its hands, it will be solely responsible for a strike that could have been avoided,” he said.
He said that after more than 115 negotiation sessions and “with an employer showing no intention of resolving the labour dispute, we have no choice but to continue increasing the pressure.”
On its website, the STM acknowledges the labour tribunal’s decision, and notes there is still another decision to be made.
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. 1, 15 and 16.
It says the tribunal will issue a decision later this week on essential services to be provided in the event that the SCFP 1983 goes on strike as well. The times may differ from those announced Wednesday.
The STM recommends commuters stay updated on schedule changes by checking its website.
