Montreal Transit Strikes Threaten November Service

Quebec's labour tribunal authorized a 24-hour drivers' strike starting Saturday at 4 a.m. and a separate four-week maintenance workers' strike set to begin tonight at 10 p.m. if no agreements are reached; the actions involve about 4,500 transit operators and 2,400 maintenance staff. The drivers' action would halt most metro and bus services during its 24-hour period, and if the month-long maintenance strike proceeds service will be limited to rush hours on most days (buses roughly 6:15–9:15 a.m. and 3–6 p.m.; defined night and metro rush-hour windows apply). Adapted/paratransit services will be fully maintained, and the airport authority's request to keep the 747 shuttle running during the 24‑hour walkout was rejected. Agencies consulted said the walkouts posed no health-or-safety risk, while the tribunal declined to exempt service for the Nov. 2 municipal election. STM will hold a 9 a.m. briefing to update the public; unions say they are still trying to reach a deal and accuse management of taking a hard line, and commuters are warned that fare refunds or exchanges will be limited under ARTM rules.