Mayor Denis Coderre says city was right to fire Bill 3 protesters

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre said unions were warned there would be consequences for the violent protest at City Hall on Aug. 18, and that the recent firing of six firefighters is simply following through on that promise.

• Bill 3 amendments to delay pension plan restructuring

• Bill 3 pension reform talks between minister and unions 'constructive'

Coderre said on Friday that he has been making an effort to talk to police officers, firefighters and blue and white collar workers protesting Bill 3, the province's controversial pension reform bill.

“I respect you, I want to work with you. My door is always open, you don’t have to [push it in],” Coderre said at a news conference on Friday at City Hall.

Firefighters and police officers are doing a good job, Coderre said, but it's important they understand Bill 3 is not simply a battle between unions and employers. 

He said society has to make a choice about whether to preserve municipal pension plans as they currently stand, or to ensure that today's young people have a healthy pension plan to retire with in 30 years from now.

Moreau softens Bill 3

Coderre congratulated Municipal Affairs Minister Pierre Moreau for softening some aspects of Bill 3.

Moreau made the announcement yesterday that he would delay the implementation of the pension plan restructuring to Jan. 1, 2016 for pension plans that are performing well.

However, those measures did not resonate well with union leaders, who called the proposed changes "cosmetic" and "unconstitutional."

They vowed to up their pressure tactics.

The coalition representing close to 65,000 firefighters, police officers and other municipal workers said it's extremely disappointed.

They say the government is not negotiating in good faith. 

Moreau said the principle behind the bill still stands — to bring employer and employee contributions to a 50/50 split — and will be part of any agreements negotiated in the future.