Montreal Transit Strike Suspended as Union Responds to Bill

Published

2 hours ago

12 November, 2025

Editorial

UPDATE: The month-long transit strike in Montreal is officially suspended as of Wednesday at 6 a.m., following a major announcement from the union representing 2,400 maintenance workers at the Société de transport de Montréal (STM). The decision comes just one day before Quebec Labour Minister Jean Boulet is expected to introduce a bill that would empower the provincial government to intervene in the strike.

In a late-night news release, the Syndicat du transport de Montréal confirmed the suspension, highlighting the union’s commitment to continuing negotiations despite ongoing challenges with STM management. “Our union is not insensitive and it’s suspending the strike in order to continue negotiations,” stated union president Bruno Jeannotte. The union aims for fair financing of public transit and better working conditions for its members.

The backdrop to this development is Law 14, which grants the government authority to end strikes affecting essential services in Quebec. This law, previously known as Bill 89, will take effect on November 30 unless the government acts sooner. The union criticized the government for undermining their negotiation power, claiming the STM now lacks incentives to compromise.

The strike, which significantly impacted public transportation in Montreal, drew widespread attention from commuters and city officials alike. The union’s decision to suspend the strike aims to alleviate immediate disruptions while pursuing a resolution that benefits both workers and the public.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on the upcoming legislative session where Minister Boulet plans to address the strike and the proposed bill. The outcome could reshape labor relations within Quebec’s public transit system, making it crucial for residents and stakeholders to stay informed.

What happens next is pivotal. Discussions between the union and STM are expected to resume immediately, and the public will be closely watching for any progress. With a strike that has already strained services, the urgency for a resolution is more critical than ever.