Montreal’s weekend transit shutdown is cancelled after the STM and the drivers’ union reach a late tentative deal, ensuring normal Metro and bus service.
Montreal Transit Shutdown Averted After STM, Union Reach Deal
A Late Agreement That Keeps Montreal Moving
A planned weekend shutdown of Montreal’s bus and Metro network was called off Friday night after the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) and the union representing drivers and Metro operators reached a tentative agreement. The deal was struck around 7 p.m. following seven days of intense negotiations, preventing a second major service disruption in as many weeks.
Stakeholders Confirm Service Will Run Normally
SCFP 1983, representing approximately 4,500 bus drivers, Metro operators and station agents, announced that service will proceed as usual on Saturday and Sunday. The union said its objective was always to secure a negotiated settlement, noting that the agreement will now be presented to members for a vote in accordance with internal procedures.
Officials Cite Compromise and Stability
The STM said the agreement in principle will remain confidential until it is ratified by both its board of directors and the union membership. STM CEO Marie-Claude Léonard acknowledged that the deal includes compromises from all parties while staying within the agency’s financial limits. She added that the resolution avoids another disruptive strike, in line with a request from Montreal’s new mayor, Soraya Martinez Ferrada.
Political Leaders Welcome the Resolution
Mayor Martinez Ferrada publicly praised the “intensive work” done by both sides to reach a deal, emphasizing that the strongest agreements are achieved through negotiation. Quebec Labour Minister Jean Boulet also commended the parties, after earlier efforts to fast-track back-to-work legislation failed due to lack of unanimous political support.
Strike Threat Followed Weeks of Labour Tension
The now-cancelled shutdown had been approved Wednesday by Quebec’s labour tribunal, just hours after maintenance workers ended a month-long strike that had already strained Montreal’s transit operations. The drivers’ union had signalled that talks remained possible, while also attributing the labour conflict to what it described as chronic underfunding by the Legault government.
How the Deal Impacts Riders This Weekend
With the agreement in place, Montrealers can expect full, uninterrupted Metro and bus service throughout the weekend. Further details of the agreement are expected only after formal ratification, marking the next step in efforts to stabilize labour relations within the city’s transit network.
