Firefighters settle pension dispute after years of negotiation
Agreement addresses disputes including violent demonstration by firefighters at city hall in 2014
Montreal's fire stations have come to an agreement in principle, which is set to end the long-term labour dispute between the city and the first responders.
For years now, the two sides have been at loggerheads. In August 2014, some municipal workers trashed City Hall council chambers as a means of protesting changes imposed to their pension plans. The demonstration led to the dismissal of six employees for vandalism.
All 67 of the city's fire departments voted 94 per cent in favor of the agreement.
The agreement addresses the financial health and sustainability of defined benefit pension plans in the municipal sector. It also complies with their current collective agreement, which is set to expire in 2018.
City pleased, firefighters appeased
The City of Montreal has welcomed the result of the vote.
"This agreement demonstrates that dialogue and good faith allow the parties to come together," said Denis Coderre, Montreal mayor.
The agreement in principle will be submitted to the city's executive committee next Wednesday.
The president of the Montreal firefighters union, President Ronald Martin, said he was "satisfied" with the deal.
The Montreal Firefighters Association (MPA), which represents 2,400 workers, stressed in a statement that the settlement settles all disputes arising from the demonstration of August 18, 2014.
The two sides managed to come to an agreement at the end of May, after months of ardent negotiations
With files from Radio-Canada