Police Commission Files Complaint Against Union

The union representing Saint John police officers is refusing to negotiate a new collective agreement in good faith, according to a complaint filed by its employer.

The Saint John Board of Police Commissioners announced Friday it had filed a complaint with the province against the Saint John Police Association.

In a news release, the commission said the union has refused to “engage in any meaningful discussions” about its proposals — which include changes to the process for promotions and shift schedules — or to “enter into discussions on wages and other financial terms.”

It also said the union has only participated in face-to-face meetings, including conciliation, for about two hours.

“Anyone with experience in these matters knows that two hours at the table is not bargaining in good
faith,” said Ed Keyes, chair of the commission, in a statement.

“Union leadership walked away before the process had even really begun.”

But the union has said the city’s “arbitrary wage escalation policy” has made it impossible to negotiate wages.

The wage escalation policy, which was passed by council in late 2019, caps any wage increases for 2020 at 1.36 per cent.

Negotiations between the union and the police commission began in January, but the association announced it would seek binding arbitration after a couple of hours at the bargaining table.

A provincially-appointed conciliation officer was brought in last week but was unable to make any progress.

RELATED: Conciliation Officer Unable To Help Reach Deal: Police Union

The commission wants the province to refer their complaint to the Labour and Employment Board to determine next steps.

“We value the men and women of the Saint John Police Force, and want to reach an agreement with
them,” said Keyes. “But that can only begin by getting the association to the table where we can
exchange ideas and proposals, engage in a meaningful discussion and move things forward.”

The Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour said once conciliation ends, the minister has up to 15 days to decide whether or not to appoint a conciliation board.

Spokesperson Leigh Watson said the other option the minister has is appointing a mediation officer “to help the parties find solutions to their issues.”

Watson noted appointing a mediation officer would not stop the timelines which move the two sides closer to applying for arbitration.