The City of Montreal and the Syndicat des cols bleus regroupés de Montréal announced a principle agreement on September 21, 2026, to renew their collective bargaining contract. The deal effectively suspends a strike that had been scheduled to begin the following day.
The agreement was reached after negotiations that aimed to secure a new contract for the city's blue‑collar workforce. Both parties described the outcome as a tentative deal that addresses the core terms of employment, allowing services to continue without interruption.
The planned industrial action, set for September 22, would have involved workers from various municipal departments. By halting the strike, the city avoids potential disruptions to public utilities, waste collection, and other essential services that rely on the blue‑collar staff.
The renewed collective agreement is intended to provide a framework for labor relations between the municipality and the union for the coming years. Officials indicated that the principle agreement will be followed by a detailed contract that finalizes wages, benefits, and working conditions.
Negotiations intensified in the days before the planned work stoppage, with city officials and union representatives meeting to bridge differences. The dialogue focused on key elements of the collective agreement, aiming to reach a mutually acceptable foundation that would prevent the disruption of municipal operations.
The city indicated that the principle agreement will be refined into a full contract, outlining specifics such as wages, benefits, and working conditions. Completion of the final document is expected in the weeks ahead, after which the agreement will be formally ratified by both parties.