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Title: Some Relief in Sight as Mediator Steps In for STM Labor Dispute
Get ready, Montreallers! After a week of disrupted bus and metro services due to the strike by 2,400 STM maintenance employees, there's a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante has voiced her optimism following the appointment of mediator Gaston Boutin, hoping that a swift resolution to the labor dispute will bring our transportation back up and running.
This labor relations expert, known for brokering deals like the one Airbus and its 1,300 Mirabel employees signed in May 2024, has been handed the task of easing tensions between the STM and the maintenance workers' union. With an aim to re-establish a conducive dialogue for negotiations, Boutin is poised to help bridge the gap between the parties.
Mayor Plante commiserates with Montrealers who've been inconvenienced by the strike, expressing particular concern for those who've faced astronomical taxi fares due to supply and demand fluctuations, as well as those who've missed work due to unpredictable schedules. She emphasizes the importance of public transportation for the city's economy and service continuity, stressing that we need to trust the system to maintain a shift in the public's transportation habits towards more environmentally-friendly options.
Despite hovering on the edge of calling for a ban on strikes in public transit, Plante has opted to let the negotiation process play out, trusting in its potential to reach a favorable agreement.
The Strike Continues
The STM and the maintenance workers' union have accepted Quebec Labor Minister Jean Boulet's invitation to have a mediator intervene in the negotiations. Eager to accelerate the negotiation process and untangle the knots keeping the parties apart, the union's president, Bruno Jeannotte, has promised a press conference to discuss the situation in more detail. Jeannotte remains adamant that the STM must withdraw its proposals that threaten working conditions.
With mediation efforts underway, the strike will be suspended during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend (June 13-15), ensuring smooth running of services throughout the exciting event. Keep in mind, though, that regular service will scale back to 50% on the network outside of peak hours and in the evening, with buses and metro operating on a different schedule during these periods.
Look Back: The STM Labor Dispute
This nine-day labor dispute emerged in June 2025, marking the first strike since the STM's collective agreement with maintenance employees expired in January of that year. The disagreements revolve around the STM's demands for significant modifications to working conditions, including potential service subcontracting, which the union opposes, citing concerns about cost increases and service quality. The union has displayed a readiness to negotiate, but insists that the STM must reconsider its demands to avert further conflict.13
Stay tuned for more updates as this situation develops. In the meantime, let's cross our fingers for a quick resolution that serves the best interests of both the workers and the residents of Montreal. Here's hoping for productive mediations and a return to our beloved buses and metro soon!
In light of the ongoing STM labor dispute, the mediation efforts initiated by both parties may prove significant in reshaping the politics of public transportation in Montreal. The temporary suspension of the strike during the Canadian Grand Prix underscores the potential impact of this dispute on general news and everyday life in the city. The resolution of this labor issue could lead to a shift in transportation habits towards more environmentally-friendly options, affecting both the economy and service continuity in Montreal. Following the appointment of mediator Gaston Boutin, who has successfully mediated high-profile disputes before, there is renewed optimism for a swift and fair resolution.
