File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Labour Strife

CUPE, City of Kamloops to go to arbitration over bylaw department restructuring

Dec 2, 2020 | 11:43 AM

KAMLOOPS — The union representing City of Kamloops bylaw enforcement officers says changes to the department will have a drastic negative impact on its members and the community at large.

In a news release, CUPE 900 President Carmen Sullivan says the union will take the matter to arbitration, with a hearing scheduled for next August.

In September, the City announced it would rename the department the Community Services Division and give officers new training and a new mandate to respond to “a wider variety of community service calls.” The change is set to take effect January 1.

Sullivan says the City’s restructuring was not properly thought through and will result in less service while potentially posing a public safety threat.

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“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 Sullivan. “This is not good for Kamloops and will cast aside workers who have kept the community safe for decades.”

The union president goes on to say restructuring will result in some officers losing their jobs while others will be forced into unreasonable shift restructuring.

Sullivan says the City does not have the right to make the changes under the collective agreement and should delay making them until an arbitrator has ruled.

City of Kamloops Chief Administrative Officer David Trawin says the union is within its rights to go to arbitration.

“”We obviously feel we’re within our rights to do what we need to do. We obviously feel it’s in the best interests of the community that we need to do what we’re doing,” Trawin told CFJC Today. “Are there changes that are going to have to come about in terms of jobs that need to be done and, potentially, shifts that need to be taken? Yes. But we feel that’s in the best interests of the community.”

Trawin notes the overall budget for the department, which will be proposed to council at next week’s meeting, has not changed.