Bonnardel constituency office victim of “vandalism” by union members

The Minister of Transport and MP for Granby, François Bonnardel, on Tuesday condemned acts of “vandalism” allegedly committed at his constituency office by members of the Syndicat de la fonction publique et parapublique du Québec (SFPQ).

“Earlier today, members of the SFPQ broke into my county office, frightened and intimidated my two employees, stole items and committed acts of vandalism,” he denounced. “I ask the SFPQ to bring its members to order,” he said in another tweet.

For its part, the SFPQ denies the version of the facts put forward by Bonnardel. “Signs and posters have been installed on the windows of the constituency office and they are easily removable,” replied the union on the minister’s Twitter post. The organization also denies the accusations of vandalism: “Members subsequently carried out an occupation of the office, respectfully and calmly. No theft, attempted intimidation or vandalism took place. » Joined by The dutythe SFPQ did not want to comment further on the situation.

The minister’s office also preferred to refrain from further comment, citing an ongoing police investigation.

Fortnights of arrests

As for the Granby Police Department, it is confirmed that arrests were made at François Bonnardel’s constituency office this morning. “At 11:15 a.m. today, officers arrested 15 people for breaking and entering. They were released on summons. An investigation is continuing at our level”, indicated to the To have to the police department’s prevention and community relations officer, Guy Rousseau.

The event comes the day after the announcement of a strike which will take place from June 13 to 17 and which will affect approximately 26,000 civil servants, occupying “mainly office and technician jobs in Quebec ministries and organizations. The SFPQ collective agreement expired in March 2020 and negotiations with the government are ongoing. In particular, the union organized a major demonstration during the national convention of the Coalition avenir Québec, which took place on May 28 and 29 in Drummondville.

It seems that this is not the first time that Minister Bonnardel’s office has been the victim of acts of vandalism. In April 2021, he had denounced an “intimidation technique worthy of the 70s” and had also filed a complaint with the police.

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