Off-duty officers stage protest during festivities
Deal brings to an end all pressure tactics relating to pension plan negotiations
The city of Montreal has reached an agreement in principle with the city’s firefighters regarding the restructuring of the department’s pension plan agreement and other contract disputes, the city announced Wednesday.
The agreement with the firefighters’ association means all pressure tactics linked to the pension negotiations will cease, the city and union said. The agreement also resolves issues relating to the suspension and firing of firefighters after a protest in 2014 that saw firefighters and blue-collar workers rampaging through Montreal’s city hall.
Following the protest, six firefighters were fired and 57 municipal workers suspended without pay.
Neither city officials nor members of the firefighters’ association would release details about the suspensions because the agreement still has to be discussed with all members.
On top of the suspension and firings, 54 firefighters and 11 bluecollar workers were charged with illegal assembly and mischief. Daniel Rock, who is representing the firefighters’ union, said Wednesday those charges are still being discussed by both parties, and are not affected by the union agreement.
The firefighters’ union said an agreement was hammered out after a “marathon of negotiations that took place over several weeks” to solve the pension plan dispute, triggered by the city’s decision to overhaul pension plans for the city’s 2,400 firefighters to cut budget expenses.
While at celebrations for Montreal’s 375th birthday, Mayor Denis Coderre said the agreement with the firefighters was proof the city administration could come to terms with its various unions.
“I’m very happy, everyone worked together,” he said.
“Everyone talked, and I said we want negotiated agreements, and that we are capable of speaking together, and we can all be part of the solution.
“I think it’s a nice message for those who are marching this evening,” he added, referring to the massive march planned to coincide with Montreal’s birthday party Wednesday night by members of the Montreal police force who are protesting over stalled contract negotiations and changes to their pension plans.