Montreal’s public transit system is facing major disruptions due to a strike by 2,400 maintenance workers, now in its second day. The walkout, following over a year of stalled negotiations with the transit agency, has drastically reduced bus and subway service, impacting commuters across the city.

Quebec’s Labour Minister, Jean Boulet, took to social media on Tuesday to announce his intervention. He revealed that he’s contacted both parties, urging them to jointly request his appointment of a mediator to help break the deadlock.

Currently, service is severely limited to peak hours (morning and afternoon rush hours) and late nights. While regular service will be restored for the Canadian Grand Prix weekend (Friday to Sunday), the restricted schedule will remain in effect until the strike’s scheduled end date of June 17th.

The situation highlights the significant impact of labor disputes on essential services. The call for mediation offers a glimmer of hope for a swift resolution, but the ongoing disruption underscores the urgent need for a compromise to restore full transit services to Montreal.