On September 11, 2026, the Administrative Labour Tribunal in Montreal issued a decision that rejected a union’s allegation of bad‑faith bargaining by the City of Montreal. The ruling, which favoured the municipal government, formally closed a labour dispute that had centred on accusations of improper negotiation tactics during collective bargaining talks.
The union involved had asserted that the city had acted in bad faith throughout the bargaining process, claiming that the municipal authorities employed tactics that violated the standards of good‑faith negotiations required under Quebec labour law. The complaint was filed with the Administrative Labour Tribunal, the body responsible for adjudicating disputes between public employers and employee organisations in the province.
After reviewing the submissions, the tribunal concluded that the union’s claim did not meet the threshold required to establish bad‑faith conduct. The decision noted that the evidence presented was insufficient to demonstrate that the city had deliberately undermined the bargaining process. Consequently, the tribunal dismissed the union’s case and affirmed the city’s position.
The judgment brings an end to the legal challenge that had occupied both parties for several months. With the tribunal’s finding, the City of Montreal can proceed with its ongoing labour relations agenda without the uncertainty of a pending bad‑faith claim. The union, while disappointed by the outcome, must now return to the negotiating table under the framework established by the existing collective agreement.
The case underscores the role of the Administrative Labour Tribunal in resolving disputes that arise in the public‑sector labour environment. By applying the legal standards for good‑faith bargaining, the tribunal’s decision reinforces the procedural expectations that both employers and unions must follow during collective bargaining in Quebec.