The Victoria firefighters union says they plan to meet with Premier David Eby after he offered support to a Victoria firefighter who was suspended for writing a letter expressing concern for safety in the downtown core.
The open letter, which was penned by Josh Montgomery and published by various media outlets including Black Press Media, spoke out against a new harm reduction facility planned for near his home, and said "I am writing to you as both a dedicated first responder and a deeply concerned citizen."
The letter and Montgomery's suspension made traction online, with aspiring politicians, media personalities, and eventually the premier sharing support for the firefighter.
“I want to hear from front-line workers, first responders, and any member of the public who wants to share what they are seeing in their communities. No one should face consequences for writing to me and if that’s the reason he was sanctioned, then he deserves an apology and back pay from the person responsible," Eby said in a statement.
The Victoria Professional Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 730, says they strongly disagree with "disciplinary actions taken by the employer, the City of Victoria," against the firefighter who received a one-day suspension without pay.
The city has denied any involvement in the suspension and Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto said it was ultimately the fire department's decision.
"The safety of the people of Victoria remains the highest priority of the Victoria Firefighters Association. We believe our members have the right to a safe workplace while in the station or while responding to emergencies," said Local 730 president Jeremy Wilson in a news release.
The union says they have started steps to refute the suspension, demanding a "full rescission of the discipline along with all wages and benefits,"
On Friday, Aug. 16, Alto said she was "extremely disappointed" that the premier felt it was appropriate or necessary to comment on an "operational personnel matter of a local government." She also said Eby "is not in complete possession of the facts."
