The maintenance workers at the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) have suspended their strike effective November 12 at 6 AM. This decision comes in response to the announced acceleration of the implementation of Law 14.
Details of the Strike Suspension
Bruno Jeannotte, president of the Syndicat du transport de Montréal–CSN, explained the reasoning behind this suspension. The aim is to ensure that the law is not enforced immediately. The union seeks to continue negotiations to reach a fair agreement.
With the strike suspended, the metro and bus services will return to normal operations by Wednesday morning. Previously, these services were set to face interruptions outside peak hours until November 28. The strike lasted less than two weeks, significantly shorter than the anticipated month-long duration.
Future of the Strike
- Any future strikes must be announced to the court at least seven days in advance.
- Jeannotte expressed concerns about the recent changes in the law affecting their negotiations.
The urgency to suspend the strike was influenced by increasing political pressure. Ministers and other officials emphasized the need to restore normalcy for the thousands of daily commuters affected. On the same day of the suspension, Labor Minister Jean Boulet announced plans to expedite the implementation of Law 14, which aims to prevent disproportionate disruptions to public services during labor disputes.
Political Pressures and Reactions
Montréal’s mayor, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, welcomed the union’s decision. She had earlier urged the maintenance workers to pause their strike actions. Emphasizing dialogue, she expressed confidence that both parties would negotiate in good faith to reach a solution.
Political Landscape
Among the opposition, only Québec solidaire opposed the acceleration of Law 14, advocating for increased funding for public transportation instead. The Parti québécois (PQ) and the Parti libéral du Québec (PLQ) appeared open to supporting the expedited law. However, securing unanimous support from all parties seemed highly challenging.
With the strike suspended and normal services restored, STM workers and officials remain hopeful that constructive discussions will lead to a satisfactory agreement for both parties.
