Montrealers are preparing for a month-long transit disruption as unionized maintenance workers at the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) plan to strike starting overnight Oct. 31 into Nov. 1. The walkout is set to last until Nov. 28, affecting bus and metro services across the city. Services will only be maintained during peak hours.
The Tribunal administratif du travail (TAT) rendered its decision Wednesday, “that it considers essential services sufficient to ensure the health and safety of the population.” Which means service will be maintained amid rush hours and some time late at night would be kept – as was done during previous strikes. But paratransit services will be fully maintained.
Metro schedule:
- From 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
- From 2:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
- From 11 p.m. to closing time
The metro will gradually close during the morning rush hour starting at 9:30 a.m. and then gradually close again during the afternoon rush hour starting at 5:45 p.m. It will close at the usual time in the late evening. The STM will close stations as the last metro runs.
Bus schedule:
- From 6:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
- From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- From 11:15 p.m. to 1:15 a.m.
All buses that have started a departure during these time slots will complete their journey to the terminus.
Earlier in the morning Wednesday, the STM said it’s continuing negotiations to avoid a strike while maintaining financial stability and service levels.
“A few days before the start of one of the longest strikes in the history of the STM, we are putting all our energy into reaching a satisfactory agreement. If the STM maintains a hard line, maintains its rigidity and continues to sit on its hands, it will be the only one responsible for this strike that could be avoided,” Bruno Jeannotte, president of the Syndicat du transport de Montréal-CSN.
“This strike, which will last 28 days with services maintained during peak hours, would have a major impact, we are aware of that. But after more than 115 negotiation meetings and faced with an employer that shows no intention of settling the labour dispute, we must continue to increase the pressure,” Jeannotte added.
Drivers and metro operators represented by the Syndicat des chauffeurs, opérateurs et employés des services connexes (SCFP 1983) have also filed strike notices for Nov. 1, 15, and 16. The TAT will render its decision later this week on that case.
“At that time, the STM will once again inform its customers of the potential impacts on its bus and metro services. It should be noted that the STM has not received an official strike notice for Nov. 15 and 16 from the union,” the STM said in a press release.
Businesses feel the pressure
Montreal business owners say the strikes create real strain on staff and customers.
Joseph Francis Espinosa, manager at Ciccio’s in downtown Montreal, described the challenges of getting employees to work.
“It’s a twofold thing because obviously in today’s society we want to make sure that those who take care of us are getting what they deserve,” Espinosa said.
Joseph Francis Espinosa, manager of Ciccio’s in downtown Montreal, on Oct. 29, 2025. (Adriana Gentile, CityNews)
He added the uncertainty of service has a direct impact on employees.
“The way it impacts us definitely, you know, causes a lot of strain on different people’s lives, you know, over here in our kitchen. We have people from all different walks of life that are trying to get to downtown Montreal from all different parts of the city. And it definitely causes a lot of strain in the morning, even knowing that there might be some days that there’s no Metro at all.”
Espinosa said businesses must take extra steps to keep operations running.
“Much movement has to be done on our side of an employer. Do we get them ubers? Do we pay for taxis? You know what I mean? Like how do we make it possible for us to run with the least amount of strain on our team as possible? So that becomes a real, real issue, obviously.”
The exterior of Ciccio’s in downtown Montreal on Oct. 29, 2025. (Adriana Gentile, CityNews)
Customer traffic is also affected.
“We’ve seen the downflux during the last strikes of how little people are walking around,” Espinosa said.
“It took us a little while here to change the kind of momentum or the vibe on this little block for people to stop and come in and see us because it’s very transitory before people going from Sainte-Catherin to PVM or vice versa. And yeah, it definitely kills things for a lot of business out here. We’re not alone. There’s lots of different spots out here that could really really, really feel the pain.”
Looking ahead, Espinosa said society is going through a period of readjustment when it comes to strikes.
“It’s really tough in this day and age because I think everybody has these ideas of what they believe they deserve. Is it aligned with the general collective, like the human collective I’m talking about is the harder question. But I think you see it across the board right now with Canada Post, the STM, lots of different strikes that are happening everywhere. It’s an readjustment period in society itself. I hope they get it right. But if any data that we’re looking at represents anything, we know that this is probably going to happen again. So steadfast for everybody for real.”
Commuters face disruption
Montrealers say the strike will make travel stressful and expensive.
“The STM strike is going to affect me and a lot of other people,” one commuter said. “You know, we have to plan ahead and there’s no room for error or else you’re going to get stuck. And it’s going to cost you like $50 to get back home.”
He expressed frustration but also sympathy for workers.
“It’s a roaring trust in the public eye. And you know, I’m really, really, really disappointed. Hopefully this will be resolved soon and we can go back to some normalcy.”
Another commuter said, “I just hope it gets resolved quickly. We need transportation. We also need these guys to make a decent living.”
“It’s a pretty big inconvenience because we have to get to work somehow. So it creates congestion. But again, I feel for them too,” he added.
