Once again, tens of thousands of Montrealers are inconvenienced by a transit strike. As was the case last spring, the 2,400 members of the Syndicat du transport de Montréal, mostly maintenance employees, are conducting a two-weeks-long work disruption.

Following an agreement between the union and the Société de transport de Montreal (STM), so-called “essential services” are provided in the form of the métro and buses running as normal on some days, and during rush hours and late in the evening on other days. The agreement, approved by the Tribunal administratif du travail, indeed cushions the impact of the labour action.

Still, the effects are serious. Nowadays, workers and students need to travel at all times of day and evening; many cannot easily find alternative arrangements. Traffic becomes heavier, with major individual and collective consequences. Those most affected are often the lowest paid and the vulnerable, people whose remuneration is far below that of the STM’s employees.

This labour action raises the issue of the right to strike for employees of a........

© Montreal Gazette