Montreal transit agency seeks mediator to resolve labor dispute

The Societe de transport de Montreal (STM) has requested a government mediator to settle a negotiation dispute with its maintenance employees union.

The request follows the creation of a select committee and an "increased pace of meetings" since the end of June, STM officials said in a press release. To date, 77 negotiation meetings have been held. In addition, there was a strike in early May over the use of overtime.

At the time, employees refused to work more than 40 hours a week during a two-week period, the Montreal Gazette reported earlier this summer.

STM's demands are aimed at "increasing work-management flexibility" to improve riders experience, agency officials said.

The STM has asked Quebec's Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Solidarity to immediately appoint a mediator to settle the dispute.