The professionals’ union at Société de transport de Montréal (STM) is contemplating authorizing a strike if negotiations fail to reach a resolution. The ongoing dispute revolves around the renewal of the collective agreement and involves a diverse group of professionals such as engineers, architects, analysts, and consultants.
Mediation recently commenced in an effort to find a solution to the disagreement that has been ongoing for about a year since the collective agreement expired last January. The issue at the heart of the conflict is the utilization of subcontractors, a point of contention shared by the maintenance workers’ union.
While the maintenance workers’ union has walked off the job twice this year, the bus drivers’ and metro operators’ union has obtained a strike mandate but has yet to act on it. Benoît Tessier, the vice-president of the professionals’ union, expressed concerns about the potential use of private engineering firms by STM, emphasizing that it could lead to a loss of expertise and increased costs compared to relying on internal staff.
The STM has highlighted its challenging financial situation, describing it as “unprecedented,” and emphasized the need for greater flexibility from its employees to reduce costs while continuing to provide services.
