Que. chief prosecutors quit over back-to-work law

At least 10 chief and assistant chief crown prosecutors have resigned to protest Quebec's special back-to-work legislation,tabled Monday.

The imposed settlement, which would end a crippling two-week judicial strike, offers provincial government lawyers an average six per cent raise over five years.

The increase falls short of the 22 per cent pay increase held out earlier by Quebec Treasury Board President Michelle Courchesne.

'We consider this work is important,and they need this support. That is why we have responded.' Quebec Treasury Board President Michelle Courchesne

The Liberal government tried to calm tempers over its settlement, by announcing it will go on a hiring spree to ease existing workloads.

Courchesnesaid the government would hire 80 more Crown prosecutors, 40 support staff and 25 ministerial lawyers in an effort to improve lawyers' working conditions.

"We consider that this work is important and they need this support. That is why we have responded," she said.

Individual lawyers who defy the back-to-work legislation face daily fines from $100 to $500.

Quebec's national assembly is debating the legislation Monday afternoon.

Prosecutors fed up with pay discrepancy

The chief and assistant chief prosecutors whotendered their letters of resignation Monday asked to be reintegrated as regular lawyers.

They say the Liberal government's offer is paltry, given that Quebec prosecutors are paid about 40 per cent less than their counterparts across Canada.

In what was billed as a Canadian first, some 1,500 lawyers and prosecutors walked off the job about two weeks ago to protest their salaries and working conditions.

The job actionvirtually paralyzed Quebec's legal system and led to some unexpected acquittals because of lack of staffing.

Negotiations between the government and the Association of Crown Prosecutors of Quebec broke down on Friday.

Quebec Premier Jean Charest expressed his frustration that the government couldn't reach a negotiated deal with the Association of Crown Prosecutors of Quebec as it has with its other public sector workers.

"No one wished to have this special law," Charest said at the opening of the debate. "We are forced to react in the superior interest of the citizens of Quebec."