Talks anticipate resumption today amidst Montreal's third day of public transit strike
Montreal, QC — Here we are, smack dab in the midst of a third day of turmoil for the city's public transit system. The maintenance workers' union has decided to go on strike, causing a ruckus across the network.
This group of around 2,400 hardworking mechanics is currently limiting bus and metro service to the precious morning and afternoon rush hours, as well as late at night. However, don't expect regular service from Friday to Sunday, as the Canadian Grand Prix weekend is upon us – services will be maintained to accommodate the increased demand. On all other days, though, prepare for subpar service due to the ongoing strike set to end on June 17.
So, what's this strike all about? Well, it seems the negotiations between the union and the transit authority have hit a wall when it comes to decisions regarding subcontracting and scheduling, particularly on late-night shifts.
Quebec's Labour Minister, Jean Boulet, already reached out to both parties last week and kindly urged them to make a joint request for mediation. The union's head, Bruno Jeannotte, has shared a stern warning: if the strike continues without resolution, this labor action may just escalate further.
Stay tuned, Montrealers, as negotiations between the union and the transit authority are expected to resume this very day. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope for a speedy resolution before services get any more chaotic.
The Canadian Press first broke this story on June 11, 2025.
Insights:- This strike involves about 2,400 maintenance employees and began at midnight on June 9, 2025, and is set to continue until June 17, 2025.- Metro and bus services are mostly limited to rush hours and late evenings, but full service will be maintained during Canadian Grand Prix weekend (June 13–15).- The primary issues in this dispute are contract negotiations regarding working conditions, wages, and job security.- The first mediation session between the transit authority and the union is set to take place on June 14, 2025, with both sides meeting separately with the mediator to discuss their positions. The union has indicated a willingness to escalate actions if a deal is not reached.
Table:
| Date Range | Service Impact | Key Events ||------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|| June 9–11 | Limited to rush hours & late evenings | Mediation set for June 14 || June 12 | Extended service, but 50% off-peak runs | || June 13–15 | Full service (Grand Prix weekend) | || June 16–17 | Limited service until strike ends | || After June 17 | Strike set to end, but escalation possible | Union prepared to escalate if needed |
In Toronto, the media industry might focus on the ongoing strike in Montreal's transportation sector, as the city's finance industry could potentially be impacted by the sustained turmoil in public transit services. This could perhaps shift the attention of financial markets away from local issues and towards the industrious mechanics' labor action in Montreal.
