WTF are Montreal Firefighters doing?

[Boges]

Way to live up to stereotypes about government employees entitlements.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/08/19/dozens-of-montreal-firefighters-storm-city-hall-throw-water-at-city-councillors-to-protest-pension-reforms/

MONTREAL — Dozens of Montreal firefighters and municipal employees protesting pension reforms stormed city hall Monday night, pushing past security guards trying to hold the doors closed and marauding through the city’s ornate seat of power.

They tossed papers throughout the building and in council chambers five minutes before city council was scheduled to begin its evening session. They threw water at city councillors who refused to leave, blew horns and whistles, and hoisted a banner in council inscribed “Coderre Voleur.”

Several protesters ran upstairs, trying to find Mayor Denis Coderre as security guards shuttled him from room to room to evade their pursuers. Witnesses reported protesters banged on doors trying to get in and tried to force the heavy wooden doors open. On-duty police officers, wearing their current uniform of red baseball caps and camouflage pants to show their displeasure with the Liberal government’s pension reforms, stood by outside. City councillor Marc-André Gadoury said protesters threw water on him and that one punched him in the side. Witnesses said police officers were among the protesters.

Every single one of the firefighters that took part and the cops that turned a blined eyes should be fined and/or suspended. This is unacceptable behaviour.

In the US we see people protesting for nobel causes like not being shot by police. Here in Canada public officials riot over having to contribute 20% more towards their retirement. Oh and I like that one of their concessions was that they now can retire at 52 instead of 55. Who in the private sector retires at 55, unless they play for the Leafs. WHO!?!

Can we have a serious discussion about how unrealistic these public sector compensations are?

[Mighty AC]

Well the firefighters have probably lost any public support they once had now.

[guyser]

WTF are Montreal Firefighters doing?

Being French Canadian.

[Boges]

WTF are Montreal Firefighters doing?

Being French Canadian.

Oh so Rioting over pension reform is a French thing.

[overthere]

why would on duty police officers be permitted to wear anything but their regular uniforms?

[guyser]

Form of protest, happens all the time in this country

[eyeball]

This used to be considered one of the things that made this country great.

[Boges]

This used to be considered one of the things that made this country great.

Rioting?

[eyeball]

Resisting.

[Boges]

Resisting.

Public servants with defined pension plans aren't exactly oppressed peoples. There's also a huge amount of irony having people who are tasked with public safety starting an angry mob.

[eyeball]

Yes well, the public should be following the example the police are setting but the irony is you'd be cheering the cracked heads and tear gas that would follow should we do that.

[Boges]

Yes well, the public should be following the example the police are setting but the irony is you'd be cheering the cracked heads and tear gas that would follow should we do that.

Not really, I'm not fan of the authority police have on innocent people. But the irony is palpable.

What's more nobel, peacefully protesting a serious issue or violently protesting something rather trivial?

[eyeball]

The former obviously. I just know that doesn't always work and now I know it doesn't always work for police either.

It's a little discouraging to know even the most respected workers amongst us can't get a break from their employers without resorting to active resistance and even violence.

Edited August 20, 2014 by eyeball

[Boges]

The former obviously. I just know that doesn't always work and now I know it doesn't always work for police either.

It's a little discouraging to know even the most respected workers amongst us can't get a break from their employers without resorting to active resistance and even violence.

They already get a "break" that most of the people that pay their salaries don't get. We aren't talking about minimum wage employees here.

They're trying de-rail the proper avenues for something like this.

[eyeball]

Like I said, I think the public should be following their example. I fail to see why everyone shouldn't be entitled to a comfortable old age.

[TimG]

Like I said, I think the public should be following their example. I fail to see why everyone shouldn't be entitled to a comfortable old age.

I suppose you believe in unicorns and faeries too. What matters is what the public can afford to pay and what priorities are given to the needs that vastly outstrip what the public can afford. This means governments need to choose between giving public servants grotesque pensions and reducing wait times for healthcare or building new transportation infrastructure. Public servants should be compensated as they would be for the same job in the private sector. This means benefits should match what is offered by private sector employers and should be reduced if the private sector norms change. Edited August 20, 2014 by TimG

[eyeball]

I suppose you believe in unicorns and faeries too.

Nope, I believe in relative parity in terms of income and especially retirement for Canadians. Edited August 20, 2014 by eyeball

[TimG]

Nope, I believe in relative parity in terms of income and especially retirement for Canadians.

The old are the wealthiest in society. Giving more to them as a group comes at the cost of higher taxes on the young who are generally poorer. You never struck me as person who believes in taking from the poor to give to the rich.

[eyeball]

That's not what I said.

You always strike me as someone who makes it just about impossible to discuss anything with.

[Boges]

Nope, I believe in relative parity in terms of income and especially retirement for Canadians.

Then governments should ensure that private sector workers get the same benefits as public ones.

[eyeball]

Sounds good to me.

Edited August 20, 2014 by eyeball

[TimG]

That's not what I said.

You said:

I fail to see why everyone shouldn't be entitled to a comfortable old age.

Now "comfortable" is a slippery term. But it seems to imply that people in old age should not have to worry about money at all. The only way to to achieve that is to take from the young.

Now if you want to argue and say that you are OK with misery as long as everyone is equally miserable then you should say that.

Edited August 20, 2014 by TimG

[Boges]

You said:

Now "comfortable" is a slippery term. But it seems to imply that people in old age should not have to worry about money at all. The only way to to achieve that is to take from the young.

Now if you want to argue and say that you are OK with misery as long as everyone is equally miserable then you should say that.

I wonder what the quality of life of Canadians would be if everyone could retire at 55.

[eyeball]

You said:

Now "comfortable" is a slippery term. But it seems to imply that people in old age should not have to worry about money at all. The only way to to achieve that is to take from the young.

Now if you want to argue and say that you are OK with misery as long as everyone is equally miserable then you should say that.

Face palm...

[eyeball]

We could take from the rich, we could take from our wealth of resources, we could tax pot. But what I'd do, above all else, is force real transparency on politicians that facilitate expansion of the income gap and stoke the sense that we're forever being screwed behind some closed door.

Edited August 20, 2014 by eyeball