The union representing by-law enforcement officers and jail guards in Kamloops says drastic changes to the way by-laws are enforced in the city will mean higher costs for less service as well as an increased threat to public safety.
This after the city in September that the Bylaw Services Department would become a new Community Services Officer (CSO) Division which would respond to a wider variety of community service calls in addition to animal control, parking services, and nuisance property complaints.
“The City is forcing through an inefficient and ill-conceived restructuring plan for the by-law enforcement department that will mean fewer officers doing more work ,” said Carmen Sullivan, the president of CUPE 900.
“These plans were conceived by a management group with little or no bylaw experience. There has been no supporting data or studies provided that suggest this restructuring is in any way better for the community. This is not good for Kamloops and will cast aside workers who have kept the community safe for decades.”
An arbitration hearing is set for August 2021, and Sullivan says the results will have significant financial consequences for the city while creating major problems for the by-law and custodial guard programs.
“The Mayor and Council should stop this process until an arbitrator is able to rule on the matter. That is the best way to ensure community and public safety, as well as ensure workers are safe on the job,” Sullivan added.
“CUPE 900 has an obligation to protect our members and will ensure that by-law enforcement officers and jail guards are treated fairly.”
Sullivan notes CUPE 900 is not opposed to changes noting they have made several attempts to try and work with the city to address the restricting problem, but adds the city has refused to consider the resolutions at this time.
“By-law enforcement officers and jail guards are proud to serve Kamloops and help protect their families, friends and neighbours in the community. They have loyally served the City – in some cases for more than 30 years – and they deserve to be heard,” she added.
“As the restructuring stands now, many officers and guards will lose their jobs, and those who don’t will be expected to dramatically reorient there lives around a shift structure that does not allow for any work life balance. It’s just not right.”
Sullivan also says the union wants City Council to know that they don’t have the right under the collective agreement to unilaterally force through the restructuring as planned.
Kamloops city staff meanwhile tell NL News that restructuring the bylaw department is within the grounds of the contract the City has with its unionized bylaw workers.
“We have no qualms about how we feel, and that we’re quite within our rights of the collective agreement. And they feel there are some areas of the collective agreement where we’re not, so we hired an arbitrator to advise us on that,” City Manager David Trawin said.
CUPE Local 900 and the City of Kamloops are about two years into a five-year contract that included a 10.75 per cent wage increase for all unionized staff.
The City also said it also number of wording changes to “clarify terms and provisions” with the goal of making it easier for both parties to interpret the agreement leading to “more efficient operations and reduced costs as a result of disagreements or disputes.”
