Frustrated by stalled talks, STM maintenance workers consider strike action

CTV News

6 days ago

Bruno Jeannotte, president of the Montreal Transit Union, addresses journalists to denounce the lack of progress in negotiations between the STM and its maintenance employees during a demonstration held on Thursday, Jul 17, 2025. (The Canadian Press/Pierre Saint-Arnaud)
Hot dogs, hamburgers, signs, flags, horns and whistles were on the menu outside the Youville workshops where the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) services and repairs its buses, as about 100 maintenance workers staged a protest Thursday afternoon over stalled contract talks.
According to Bruno Jeannotte, president of the Syndicat du transport de Montréal, which represents about 2,400 STM maintenance workers, the slow pace of negotiations could lead to stronger pressure tactics.
In an interview with The Canadian Press, Jeannotte expressed frustration with the employer's failure to table its bargaining priorities, despite nine days of mediated talks since the end of the last strike in mid-June.
'Our perception is that the employer is stalling at the bargaining table,' he said. 'Instead of identifying its priorities — which should have happened on day one or two of mediation — they're asking us for clarifications on various articles, which in the end might not even make it into their priority list. So we're really at a standstill right now.'
Waiting on Bill 89?
Jeannotte suspects the STM may be dragging its feet in hopes the Quebec government will rush through Bill 89, legislation titled An Act to Better Consider the Needs of the Population in the Event of a Strike or Lockout.
'We know the labour minister, Jean Boulet, is hinting that bills like Bill 89 could be fast-tracked. Is the employer leaning on the minister, thinking it will get government backing, and so sees no benefit to negotiating right now? I can't explain why the STM still hasn't presented its priorities.'
Bill 89 would limit strikes and expand the definition of essential services in Quebec. It also gives the labour minister new powers to intervene in labour disputes, including the ability to impose arbitration to end strikes or lockouts in certain cases.
Pressure tactics or a breakthrough
Maintenance workers already walked off the job from June 9 to 17. If bargaining remains stalled, Jeannotte warned the union may have to repeat that strategy.
'Will we be forced to strike again to really make an impact, to put pressure on the STM? We don't want it to come to that. But after nine full negotiating sessions without any priorities being tabled, we're concerned. If we can't reach an agreement in July or August, there will be pressure tactics come September.'
Salaries and outsourcing are at the heart of the dispute. On wages, management is offering an 11 per cent raise over five years — less than half of the union's demand of 25 per cent.
Outsourcing poses additional complications. The STM has said that due to chronic underfunding from Quebec, it is considering no longer doing certain maintenance work in-house, particularly in construction. But the union argues that outsourcing will cost more in the long run than using its own workers — assuming they stay.
'In the past, we were still ahead of the construction sector,' Jeannotte said. 'Now when we look at outside job postings, construction wages and conditions have improved. We need electricians, masons and bricklayers who work in the Metro at night. But the competition offers daytime work, weekends off, and overtime pay for weekend and night work. Meanwhile, the STM wants workers on regular pay for days, evenings, nights and weekends. That doesn't attract people.'
Thirteen years of night shifts
The Canadian Press spoke to one employee, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of employer retaliation, who works as a track maintenance worker in the Metro . His reality echoed Jeannotte's comments when asked why he was protesting under the sweltering sun.
'It's mostly about work-life balance,' he said. 'I've been with the STM for 13 years, working nights as a track maintenance worker, and I still don't see the day when I'll have a daytime position.'
The collective agreement expired Jan. 1, but negotiations began in March 2024. Mediation has been ongoing since the end of the strike on June 17.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on July 17, 2025.