Montreal’s transit authority is facing financial challenges, leading to the need to cut 300 jobs in order to save $100 million over three years. The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) is currently in negotiations with four unions, two of which have issued strike notices for the coming month.
Marie-Claude Léonard, the STM’s executive director, emphasized the organization’s commitment to providing continuous service to its customers and stated that cutting services is not a viable option. Most of the job cuts are expected to occur through attrition or by reallocating employees within the organization.
One of the unions, SCFP Local 1983, which represents bus drivers, operators, station agents, and adapted transit drivers, has issued a strike notice for November if negotiations do not progress. Another union, Syndicat du transport de Montréal, representing maintenance workers, is threatening a four-week strike starting on October 31.
A mediation team is working to facilitate discussions between the unions and the STM, with hopes of reaching agreements to prevent strikes. The unions have expressed concerns regarding work hours and unpaid work, seeking better conditions for their members.
Despite the challenges, the STM is striving to address the unions’ demands while considering the importance of flexibility, efficiency, and its financial constraints. The organization is working towards finding solutions that meet the needs of all parties involved.