Montreal Transit Workers Threaten Strike on November 15-16

Bus drivers and metro operators in Montreal are poised to strike on November 15 and 16 if negotiations regarding their working conditions do not progress. This warning comes from Frédéric Therrien, president of local 1983 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), who expressed this sentiment during a press conference held outside the Palais des congrès on Saturday morning.

Therrien emphasized the union’s commitment to finding solutions but made it clear that this would not occur at “zero cost.” He acknowledged that the ongoing strike is not welcomed by all members of the public but insisted that the actions taken are necessary to ensure the future quality of public transit services in the city. “We’re not just fighting for our wages and working conditions, but for the quality of public transit in Montreal,” he stated.

The CUPE president pointed to persistent underfunding of public transit by both the City of Montreal and the Quebec government as a significant factor in the current situation. “Everyone telling us today that we’re holding people hostage, I would say it’s much more the CAQ government that decided to hold them hostage,” Therrien argued, asserting that the root of the problem lies in the inadequate funding for public transit.

On Saturday, nearly 3,000 demonstrators gathered outside the Palais des congrès, coinciding with the annual conference and trade show hosted by the Canadian Urban Transit Association. The turnout highlighted the union’s call for a more substantial commitment from local authorities to support public transport infrastructure.

Therrien reiterated that the union’s actions aim to protect the rights of the public to access reliable transit. “Not providing services in Montreal, we know it causes disruptions and people won’t be happy, but we had reached this point,” he explained. He indicated that various pressure tactics had been employed previously to avoid impacting public services, but the current climate necessitates a more assertive approach.

As the deadline approaches, the union’s leadership remains hopeful for a resolution that addresses both the workers’ needs and the essential service requirements of Montreal’s transit system. This situation continues to evolve, with significant implications for the city and its residents.

This report is based on information from The Canadian Press and was originally published in French on November 1, 2025.