A potential transit strike in Montreal, set to halt bus and Metro services over the weekend, has been averted following a last-minute agreement reached on Friday night between the city’s public transit agency and the union representing bus drivers and Metro operators. The union, SCFP 1983, announced that an agreement in principle was reached with the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) after a week of intense negotiations. The deal, which includes compromises from both sides, awaits ratification by the STM’s board of directors and the union’s members.
The union president, Frédéric Therrien, expressed satisfaction with the negotiated agreement, emphasizing that it now requires approval through their democratic structures. The terms of the deal will remain undisclosed until formal adoption. Marie-Claude Léonard, the STM’s CEO, highlighted that the agreement respects the financial framework and acknowledged the efforts to prevent a disruptive strike, aligning with the wishes of Montreal’s new mayor, Soraya Martinez Ferrada.
Martinez Ferrada commended the collaborative efforts that led to the resolution, emphasizing the importance of negotiations at the table. She credited the union and STM for their commitment, noting her role in facilitating communication and setting a deadline for reaching an agreement. Martinez Ferrada, drawing on her father’s experience as a bus driver, underscored the significance of timely negotiations to safeguard employee working conditions.
The Quebec labour tribunal had previously approved a two-day strike, which was averted by the successful agreement between the parties. The strike threat loomed despite attempts by the government, including Labour Minister Jean Boulet, to expedite back-to-work legislation. The failure to garner unanimous support for the bill led to the cancellation of the strike, much to the relief of commuters and stakeholders. The drivers’ union, representing thousands of STM employees, had expressed optimism about reaching a resolution before the scheduled strike, attributing the conflict to chronic underfunding by the government.