CTV News Montreal

Updated: Tue Mar. 02 2010 7:47:14 PM

ctvmontreal.ca

Montreal's unionized firefighters say they are prepared to continue to use pressure tactics in an ongoing contract dispute with the city of Montreal, after an arbitrator ruled in favour of the city.

On Monday, an arbitrator ruled that a three-year contract offered by the city is a fair one.

The contract applies retroactively to 2007, and the arbitrator's decision means the firefighters will not get any pay increase for that year because of a salary freeze.

However, the firefighters will get two percent raises for both 2008 and 2009.

They have also been given a 0.8 percent bonus for the last year of the contract -- although the city says it can't afford it.

Mayor Tremblay has said the city will recoup that money in negotiations for the 2010 to 2012 contract period.

As the union prepares for a new round of contract talks, it says it wants to reassure the public that any pressure tactics that are applied will not put the population in danger.

"Any pressure tactic that has been taken by Montreal firefighters has been purely administrative and in no way affects the safety of the public," said Chris Ross of the Montreal Firefighters Union.

"We are affecting the city of Montreal and the management of the Montreal Fire Department and not the citizens of Montreal."

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Eric
Can't afford it ?? The city hands out bonuses and huge raises to their administration, spends money foolishly, wants to put on another Olympic games and they say they cannot afford it. They raise property taxes and gasoline taxes and they say they can't afford it. Our firefighters work hard, risk their lives and most likely earn less than other firefighters in other cities. i think it's time for a change in administration in the city of Montreal.