The ongoing dispute between the Montreal transit agency and its maintenance workers’ union continues as they clash over the maintenance of essential services during the union’s fourth strike, especially on key holiday dates and in the face of impending winter storms.
The union, representing 2,400 maintenance employees with the Federation of Public Service Employees, affiliated with the CSN, has declared a fourth strike from Dec. 11 to Jan. 11, during which members plan to refuse overtime work.
Witnesses, including heavy-vehicle mechanics and employees from various transport centers, testified at the Administrative Labour Tribunal to clarify their responsibilities.
The Société de transport de Montréal argues that the union’s proposed list of essential services falls short, particularly in dealing with winter storm conditions. The union’s suggestion triggers additional duties only after specific snow or freezing rain thresholds are met, whereas the STM emphasizes proactive action based on weather forecasts.
Concerns also arise regarding holiday staffing levels, with disagreements over the required number of maintenance employees on Dec. 25, 26, Jan. 1, and 2.
The union insists that holiday service should align with the regular weekend schedule, citing sufficient bus availability even during the strike period due to effective fleet management practices that prioritize repairs and refueling.
In contrast, the STM faces operational challenges as a significant number of buses are sidelined due to technical issues, exacerbating the impact of the ongoing strike by the maintenance union.
This standoff marks the fourth strike initiated by the maintenance union following previous disruptions throughout the year. However, recent agreements with other STM employee groups have been successfully ratified, bringing temporary respite from the labor unrest.
