Montreal’s municipal government and a local blue‑collar union announced on Saturday, September 12, that they have entered conciliation negotiations in an effort to prevent a strike scheduled for the week of September 22 to 28, 2026. The talks follow the union’s formal filing of a strike notice on September 2, which outlined a one‑week work stoppage if an agreement is not reached.
The strike notice submitted on September 2 set out the union’s intention to suspend work for seven days, beginning on September 22 and ending on September 28. In response, city officials have moved to engage the union through a conciliation process, aiming to reach a settlement before the planned dates. Both parties are meeting under the guidance of a neutral conciliator, as permitted by provincial labour regulations.
The primary objective of the negotiations is to avoid a disruption to municipal services that could result from a work stoppage. City representatives indicated that a strike would affect a range of operational areas, though no specific services were listed in the statements released. The union’s filing highlighted the need for a resolution that addresses its members’ concerns, while the municipal side emphasized the importance of maintaining uninterrupted city functions.
As of the date of this report, the conciliation sessions are ongoing and no final agreement has been announced. The city has indicated that it will continue to work with the union throughout the negotiation period, with the goal of reaching a mutually acceptable solution before the strike window opens. Both sides have expressed a willingness to continue discussions, and the outcome will determine whether the planned work stoppage proceeds as initially scheduled.