Dans l’ordre habituel; Jacques Lemaistre-Caron, Maire; Samuel Bissonnette, président syndical; Jean-Pierre Cayer, directeur général. À l’arrière; Philippe Patenaude, directeur du service d’incendie; Caroline Labelle, conseillère syndicale du SCFP; Me Pierre Girard, représentant patronal. Photo Ville de Lacolle
Representatives of the union representing firefighters with the Municipality of Lacolle south of Montreal have signed their first collective agreement.

These firefighters, who have been represented by CUPE since March 2022 and who also serve as the emergency first responders of the Town of Lacolle, voted 80% in favour of the tentative agreement the parties agreed to last November 3.

The six-year agreement, which runs from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2027, calls for an overall wage increase of 22%, the addition of two internal firefighters on call from Monday to Friday and an external duty premium.

The agreement also includes improvements to vacation periods for internal employees on call and casual employees The employer will also raise their contribution to the group RRSP by 2% starting in 2025.

“Meetings were held in a respectful atmosphere. Both parties showed openness, and everyone came away satisfied with the outcome,” said CUPE union representative Caroline Labelle.