(Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Tentative agreement reached to establish first-ever RCMP collective agreement

Jun 28, 2021 | 12:38 PM

OTTAWA, ONT – RCMP members and reservists are one step closer to establishing what the federal government calls a “modern labour relations regime.”

The Government of Canada has reached a tentative agreement with the National Police Federation (NPF) to establish a collective agreement for the RCMP.

“If RCMP members and reservists vote in favour of the tentative agreement reached between the Government of Canada and the National Police Federation, it will be the first time in the history of the force that they will have had a collective agreement,” says Public Safety Minister Bill Blair. “I’d like to congratulate the parties for reaching an agreement and wish them well in their partnership.”

The agreement follows legislation passed in 2017 that allowed RCMP to unionize and bargain collectively.

The legislation, according to the federal government, includes the following elements:

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• The freedom for RCMP members and reservists to choose whether to be represented by a bargaining agent
• Independent, binding arbitration as the dispute resolution process for bargaining impasses, with no right to strike
• A single, national-in-scope bargaining unit for RCMP members appointed to a rank and reservists
• The requirement that the RCMP bargaining agent have, as its primary mandate, the representation of RCMP members
• The exclusion of officers from representation
• The Public Service Labour Relations and Employment Board as the administrative tribunal for matters related to collective bargaining for the RCMP bargaining unit, as well as for grievances related to a collective agreement

RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki says this is a vital step towards improving conditions for officers across the country.

“This is a monumental day for the RCMP. We look forward to continuing our positive and collaborative working relationship with the NPF to advance a shared interest – ensuring our employees are supported so that they can do their best work for Canadians.”

If ratified, the proposed six-year agreement would apply to over 19,000 RCMP regular members below the rank of inspector as well as RCMP reservists.