Montreal blue-collar workers strike during cycling world championships

Montreal's blue-collar workers will strike for seven days from September 22 to 28, coinciding with the UCI Road World Cycling Championships, potentially causing significant disruptions. The union rejected the city's wage offer of approximately 11% over five years, demanding increases matching other municipalities' 22% agreements. Essential services will be maintained, but street maintenance and traffic management could be affected. The event, Montreal's largest since the 1976 Olympics, expects nearly 1,000 athletes and 550,000 spectators. The strike follows four previous walkout days in February and April, amid the city's projected $417 million budget shortfall through 2028.