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(Video in french only)

This Wednesday, the Coalition syndicale pour la libre négociation [Union Coalition for Free Negotiation] is taking part in a “Grand Dérangement,” or 24-hour work stoppage, throughout Quebec. From 12:01 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. this evening, 25 unions are on strike and holding demonstrations targeting mainly city halls and municipal buildings. The Coalition members are taking part en masse in these demonstrations and various other visibility measures.

This day of action has been organized against the imminent adoption of Bill 3 on pension plans for municipal workers. Its purpose is to alert Quebecers to the manner in which the Couillard government is seeking to destroy the way of life in cities and towns across Quebec. By arbitrarily compromising working conditions for municipal employees, the government is poisoning labour relations for years to come. Bill 3 will also create a gulf between Québec City and the rest of the province, marking the first step in a long phase of cutbacks affecting municipal workers, all imposed in the name of austerity.

“All year long in 2014, we have made every possible effort to reach a compromise with the Couillard government,” explained Coalition spokesperson Marc Ranger. “It was all in vain. Barring some unforeseen circumstance, they will be adopting Bill 3 next week under closure. In doing so, they will be breaking signed contracts with municipal workers. Their false claims of urgency come ahead of the release of actuarial assessments for 2013, which will in fact show marked improvement.”

“We have already demonstrated nonetheless that the great majority of pension plans are in good financial health and expressed our readiness to resolve any difficulties through negotiation,” said Ranger. “But the bigger picture is that the Liberals are seeking to dip into the pockets of municipal workers in order to implement their senseless austerity plan. That is why municipal employees are making it clear on this day that they are fed up with our government and certain municipal officials. They are fed up with these people who look down on them while trying to sweep all the corruption and collusion scandals under the carpet with their unprecedented attacks on legitimately negotiated working conditions.”

The Coalition comprises more than 65,000 members including white and blue-collar workers, firefighters, police officers, professionals and public transportation employees. It represents virtually all unionized municipal employees in Quebec. Its detailed platform is available online at librenego.com.

The Coalition consists of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE-Quebec) and its Municipal Sector Provincial Council as well as its ground transport sector, the Fédération des employées et employés de services publics (FEESP-CSN), the Fédération indépendante des syndicats autonomes (FISA), the Fédération des policiers et policières municipaux du Québec, the Fraternité des policiers et policières de Montréal, the Association des pompiers de Montréal, the Regroupement des associations de pompiers du Québec and the Syndicat des pompiers et pompières du Québec – FTQ.