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6 Montreal firefighters fired over pension plan protest

MONTREAL — The City of Montreal has confirmed that six firefighters have been fired and 57 more city workers and firefighters disciplined.

The disciplinary measures were related to a protest at Montreal’s city hall in August that turned violent.

READ MOREUnions storm Montreal city hall in pension protest

The protest against Bill 3, controversial legislation proposed by the Quebec government to change municipal worker’s pension plans, was described at the time by city councillors as “an affront to democracy.”

The Chair of the Montreal Executive Committee, Pierre Desrochers said Thursday that the disciplinary measures involved 63 employees, further workers could be implicated.

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“These measures involve 63 people of a total of 28,000 employees,” he said.

“These are, in my mind, isolated cases, and do not question the professionalism of the very big majority of our employees.”

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  • one-week suspension: 6 firefighters and 1 blue-collar worker
  • two-week suspension: 10 firefighters
  • four-week suspension (already served): 2 white-collar workers, 5 blue-collar workers and 14 firefighters
  • three-month suspension: 1 blue collar worker and 14 firefighters
  • six-month suspension: 1 white collar worker and 2 firefighters
  • dismissal: 6 firefighters

Forty-one firefighters are facing criminal charges that include assault, unlawful assembly and mischief.

READ MORE: Montreal firefighters protest 35 suspensions

The first cases go to court Thursday and those charged are expected to plead not guilty. The union will pay the legal fees for the firefighters’ defence.

WATCH: The firefighters union reacted late Thursday afternoon to the city’s disciplinary measures, calling the suspensions and firings harsh and exaggerated. Peter Anthony Holder has more.

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