Proposed class action targets STM over strike disruptions
A request to authorize a class action lawsuit has been filed against the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) on behalf of transit riders who purchased a monthly or weekly pass.
Lawyers for Michelle Phuong Thao have filed the proposed claim over the STM's maintenance workers' strike, which began last week and caused major disruptions for users across the island.
The STM has previously said it would not reimburse or compensate activated or monthly passes.
The lawsuit argues that when the strike was called on June 9, users were not given sufficient notice to reorganize or obtain a refund for their passes.
'In practice, many users were unable to benefit from paid services and were forced to find expensive or impractical alternatives for getting around,' the lawsuit states.
'However, these service interruptions, resulting from the strike, deprive consumers of the use of their monthly card, even though the STM continues to collect the full price, without offering compensation or an adequate reimbursement mechanism.'
Additionally, the lawsuit claims the STM is engaging in a practice 'prohibited' under the Consumer Protection Act by failing to provide the services stipulated in the contract and making false or misleading representations regarding the availability and continuity of its services.
The strike was paused during the Grand Prix weekend but will resume on Monday and continue until June 17.
The Quebec government has named a mediator, with the first session scheduled for June 16.
The legal action seeks a proportional refund for unused transit services, punitive damages for misleading consumers and failing to disclose the disruption.
Quebec's Superior Court has not ruled on the request.
In a written statement, the STM said it was aware of the request for authorization but declined to comment since the strike is ongoing.
'However, we would like to point out that the current strike is legal and that users were informed as soon as the strike notice was received on May 29.'
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