RCMP angered by cancelled wage hikes

And the impact of Ottawa's unilateral decision will be felt in places like southeastern Manitoba, which is represented by one of the main players behind the unpopular cost-cutting move -- federal Treasury Board president MP Vic Toews, an RCMP staff relations representative said Thursday.

"His word should be his bond," said Staff-Sgt. Brian Roach. "When you campaign on law and order and then this is what you give us, I don't think that reflects the community he represents."

At issue is a Dec. 11 decision by the Treasury Board to roll back a wage agreement with the RCMP. In doing so, Ottawa also amended the new rates of pay for the second and third year of its most recent three-year compensation arrangement with the RCMP.

Rank-and-file Mounties fired back that at no time did the Treasury Board ever provide advance notice of its decision, or consult with RCMP members who made the deal last June.

The Mounties are now going to Federal Court to quash the Harper government's decision, which caps their expected raises for this year and next at the same levels the government intends to impose on the rest of the public service.

The compensation package, which includes salary, benefits and pensions, was determined by the five-member RCMP Pay Council and presented to the Treasury Board for approval. The original deal was approved by the force, the Treasury Board and then-Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day.

The Mounties, who are not unionized, are outraged by Ottawa's sudden and unannounced about-face.

"If we can't offer the wages and benefits we can't offer the best service," staff representative Staff-Sgt. Steve Walker said. "People like Vic Toews and his rural constituents are affected by this.

"If they're saying we're just another public servant, where are the other federal workers when we're on patrol in the high Arctic?" Walker said. "If they're saying they want 3,000 members to go to the Olympics, maybe we just won't go. We'll make them order us to go."

Roach noted it's wrong for Ottawa to treat Mounties the same as other public servants.

"We put ourselves in harm's way for overall public safety," Roach said.

In Parliament on Thursday during Question Period, Toews was asked about the rollback and gave this answer:

"A responsible approach to public-sector compensation is critical during a time of economic uncertainty. Everyone is being asked to do their share to help manage government expenditures in the public interest. The RCMP is not being singled out in this respect. They're being treated exactly the same way.

"It's reasonable and responsible for the government to apply the same wage increase guidelines for every federal employee."

Walker and Roach said the decision impacts the ability of the already-strained national force to recruit new officers, and has sapped the morale of many officers.

Walker said recruitment is especially tough in Manitoba and Newfoundland because many young people -- who are also being lured by every municipal police service -- don't want to work in isolated communities.

"The very nature of our work is we work in some less desirable places," he said. "There are no amenities. Gen-X and Gen-Y don't want to go to these places.

"And if your wife is a chartered accountant and you want to take her to Shamattawa, she's probably not going to go."

Walker also said more Manitobans are signing up online (www.CallForBackup.ca) than any other province to support RCMP rank-and-file in their fight against the Harper government. More than 10,500 people have already signed an online petition.

"Manitobans are the biggest contributor per capita to our website," he said.

bruce.owen@freepress.mb.ca

What happened to pay raises?

Ottawa rolled back its wage agreement with the RCMP. Under the original deal last June, Treasury Board agreed to pay the force yearly increases of 3.4 per cent in 2008, 3.5 per cent in 2009, which included a market adjustment allowance of 1.5 per cent, and 2 per cent in 2010. Instead, the Mounties are facing a 2.5-per-cent reduction over the next two years, including the loss of the allowance.

Why did the government do it?

The Harper government is trying to control the federal payroll to reduce costs. Ottawa earlier offered federal unions a take-it-or-leave-it deal of 6.8 per cent over four years. The wage controls were to be implemented in legislation that would also apply to MPs, cabinet ministers, senators and senior public servants. It would limit annual raises to 1.5 per cent until 2010-11. Those plans were dropped when Parliament was prorogued at the end of last year.

Many say the rollback is a signal the government intends to resurrect its plans to cap wages.

How many RCMP in Manitoba?

There are about 1,100 RCMP officers and staff in the province.

Who is affected most?

With the rollback many veteran Mounties are now eyeing retirement as it's not worthwhile for them to continue working; the pension they collect now will be essentially the same if they retire two years from now. About 3,000 Mounties in Canada are currently eligible to retire.

What if that happens?

Fifty per cent of frontline officers working in Manitoba have five years or less experience. With veteran officers leaving there is a loss of mentorship and institutional knowledge.

What about recruitment?

RCMP are in stiff competition with other Canadian police agencies for recruits. Without assurances pay agreements will be upheld by government they'll find work somewhere else. The starting annual wage for an RCMP is $46,000. In 36 months it increases to $74,500.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 30, 2009 A7