MONTREAL — Montreal is preparing for a potential transit strike that threatens to cause significant disruptions to bus and metro services starting Monday. The strike, which is organized by the city's maintenance workers, could result in either reduced or entirely eliminated service outside of peak hours for several days between June 9 and 17.

The Société de transport de Montréal (STM), the transit agency, has urged the public to consider alternative means of transportation, such as walking, biking, or working from home, if feasible. This directive comes in light of the maintenance workers' demands for improved working conditions, reflecting growing concerns over the labor environment within the city’s transit system.

Mayor Valérie Plante of Montreal has expressed her hope for a swift resolution to the labor dispute, emphasizing the importance of maintaining transit services for the community. The looming strike raises worries not only for everyday commuters but also for travelers and tourists, particularly as the city prepares to host the Canadian Grand Prix, scheduled to take place from Friday to Sunday next week.

During the Grand Prix weekend, the STM has confirmed that regular transit services will remain operational, aiming to accommodate the influx of visitors to the event. The timing of the planned maintenance workers' strike and the Grand Prix raises significant concerns over the potential impact on transportation availability during one of the city's busiest times of the year.

As the city approaches June, the tension surrounding the transit strike intensifies, with approximately 2,400 maintenance workers seeking better pay and working conditions. The outcome of these negotiations will not only affect the workers but also the daily lives of countless Montreal residents who rely on transit services for their commutes.

Thus, as tensions rise and both sides prepare for a possible strike, the future of public transit in Montreal remains uncertain. The city’s leadership hopes to mediate an agreement quickly, but the implications of a strike could reshape the way residents navigate their city during the upcoming days.