On December 8, the firefighters from CUPE 7175 affiliated with the Conseil provincial du secteur incendie, CPSI, once again turned up at a municipal council meeting in the Quebec town of Saint-Félix-de-Valois, this time to speak out against the unpaid seven-day suspension of two firefighters, including the union president.
These new sanctions are the latest in a series of disciplinary measures that have soured labour relations in the fire department. At last week’s council meeting, the municipality announced the dismissal of two firefighters. Disturbingly, these firefighters have yet to receive an explanation for their dismissal. The suspended workers received a letter mentioning shortcomings, yet the alleged events took place in the presence of the assistant manager, who did not react at the time.
The firefighters had previously held a general membership meeting, where they passed a motion of non-confidence in the assistant manager. At the council meeting, they informed elected officials of this vote and reiterated their expectations.
“Firefighters expect their superiors to do everything they can to protect their health and safety, not to be severely punished as an afterthought!” said Maxime Valade, union representative. “If there really was a health and safety issue at the time the events occurred, it was the assistant manager’s responsibility to take action to prevent it.”
Asked about the assistant manager’s role, the mayor acknowledged his presence during the events, but did not specify whether consequences could be in store for him. The union expects clear answers and concrete actions to restore a healthy work climate.
In the coming weeks, the union will be going forward with appropriate legal actions to defend its members’ rights.