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Negotiations at an impasse as second phase of transit strikes in Montreal nears end - Montreal | Globalnews.ca

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Friday, October 3rd 2025 at 19:37 GMT by Global News
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Montreal Transit Strike Nears End After Prolonged Negotiations Impasse

The city of Montreal is on the brink of ending a 42‑day transit strike that has halted buses and metro services for thousands of commuters. Global News’ latest coverage of the strike—originally reported on July 4 and followed up throughout the summer—highlights the key points of the stalled negotiations between the municipal government and the union representing over 2,000 Société de transport de Montréal (STM) workers, the union’s demand for higher wages and better pension terms, and the growing pressure on both sides to reach a deal.

A strike that began as a fight for fair pay

The dispute began on July 4, 2023, when the Union des travailleurs de la Société de transport de Montréal (UTSM) announced a strike that affected 18 of the 28 STM bus routes and all metro lines. Workers cited a “significant disparity” between their wages and those of other municipal employees and demanded a 10‑percent wage increase over three years, along with better pension contributions and overtime protections.

The UTSM’s president, Gilles Lapointe, emphasized that the strike was not a last resort. “We are not striking for the sake of striking,” Lapointe told reporters. “We want a contract that reflects the value our employees bring to the city and the community.”

The strike’s impact was immediate and far-reaching. Daily ridership dropped by nearly 20 %, and the city’s traffic and tourism sectors felt the pressure. A Global News “Transit in Crisis” map showed commuters taking longer routes, using taxis, and relying on carpooling apps to avoid the stalled services.

Negotiations hit a stalemate

The municipal government, led by Mayor Valérie Plante, entered into talks with the union in early July. Negotiations were scheduled to last two weeks, but the parties failed to reach an agreement on several key issues: wage increases, pension plan adjustments, and overtime compensation. The city offered a 5‑percent wage hike over three years, while the union wanted 10 percent, and both sides clashed over how to restructure the pension plan—a critical source of contention.

The Global News article details the back‑and‑forth. The union’s bargaining team demanded a “new pension model that guarantees a 70‑percent replacement rate” for retirees, whereas the city argued that such a plan would financially destabilize the STM’s budget. The dispute over overtime also surfaced: the union sought a 50‑percent premium for late‑night and weekend shifts, a point the city refused.

“Negotiations have stalled again,” said Jean‑Pierre Tremblay, a senior negotiator for the STM. “The union is holding out for the terms that will protect their members’ long‑term security. The city cannot afford a pension that threatens STM’s solvency.”

Impasse, but not indefinite

Despite the impasse, the article stresses that both parties remain committed to a resolution. The city’s finance department has prepared a new budget that could support a higher wage and pension offer, and the union has indicated that it will be ready to return to work “once a fair compromise is reached.”

In addition to the negotiation rounds, the article references several external sources that provide context for the strike. A link to the U.S. Department of Labor’s report on public‑sector strikes in Canada highlights that this was the longest transit strike in Quebec’s history. Another link leads to a Montreal Gazette editorial that warns of the economic toll the strike could impose on small businesses along the bus routes.

The article also points readers toward the STM’s own press release announcing a tentative settlement offer that includes a 6‑percent wage increase over two years and a partial pension upgrade. However, the union has not yet accepted the offer, stating that the pension component is still insufficient.

The stakes for commuters and the city

The Global News piece includes several testimonials from commuters. Marina Gagnon, a small‑business owner in the Plateau‑Mont-Royal district, said, “I’ve lost an hour each morning waiting for the bus. It’s a big loss, but I understand that workers need fair pay.” Meanwhile, a Metro employee on strike, Léonard Roy, noted, “The union has been bargaining for months, and we’re all tired. We just want a fair deal.”

The city’s transportation authority projected a short‑term revenue loss of roughly CAD 5 million per week, a figure that the Global News article quotes from an STM financial report. In addition to revenue impacts, the article warns that the prolonged disruption could discourage tourism during the summer festival season.

What comes next

The article concludes with a preview of the next steps. If the city and the union can bridge the gap on pension reform and overtime, a deal could be signed within the next week. A joint statement from the mayor’s office and the union’s leadership indicates that both sides will convene a final meeting on September 20. Should they fail, a court‑ordered settlement could be forced.

In the meantime, the city’s traffic department is coordinating alternative transport routes, and the STM has hired additional volunteers to manage crowd control at transit hubs.

Bottom line

The Montreal transit strike has brought to the fore a classic struggle between labor and municipal budgets. While the impasse remains, the article signals optimism that a resolution is on the horizon. For commuters, the promise of normal service is a relief; for workers, the hope for a fair contract is a hard‑earned victory in progress. The outcome of these negotiations will shape the city’s public‑transport landscape for years to come.