Agreement Reached with Senior Officers

(BRAMPTON)– The Regional Municipality of Peel Police Services Board is pleased to announce that it has reached agreement with the Peel Regional Police Senior Officers’ Association on a three-year renewal to the current collective agreement says Mr. Ralph Hunter, Vice-Chair of the Board, and Chair of the Senior Officers Bargaining Committee.

Mr. Hunter says representatives of the Board and the SOA, after two days of bargaining, agreed upon a Memorandum of Settlement on October 24, 2007. The Board ratified the Memorandum on October 26, 2007, with the SOA membership voting in favour of the deal on November 5, 2007.

“I’m very pleased that the parties were able to achieve a freely negotiated settlement,” says Mr. Hunter. “I believe this represents a fair deal for both sides. It recognizes the importance of our senior management, yet is fiscally sustainable for the police service.”

Mr. Hunter says, “I would also say that our discussions with the SOA were throughout very professional and constructive, and I commend them for the approach they took in negotiations. I think it speaks well to the role they play in our police service.”

Mr. Hunter says the three year agreement covers the period from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2009. It provides for economic increases of approximately 3.2 per cent effective January 1, 2007; 3.2 per cent for January 1, 2008 and 3.11 per cent effective January 1, 2009. There are a number of health and welfare improvements, an increase in post-retirement benefits, and the addition of the Family Day statutory holiday as recently announced by the Ontario Government.

Mr. Hunter says the Peel Regional Police Senior Officers’ Association represents senior members of the police service from the rank of Inspector to Staff Superintendent. It includes senior civilian members, and those civilian members who serve in a confidential position.

Mr. Hunter says that with respect to the status of the collective agreements for the Uniform and Civilian members, details of the SOA agreement have been shared with representatives of the Peel Regional Police Association. Mr. Hunter says that additional financial information requested by the PRPA has also been supplied.

“We have made it clear that we are willing to discuss a deal with the PRPA similar to that reached with the SOA,” says Mr. Hunter. “We’ve given them the information that they’ve requested, and now we’re waiting for a response.”

The Peel Regional Police is Ontario’s second largest municipal police service. It provides police services to the cities of Brampton and Mississauga and, under contract, to Pearson International Airport.

For further information: Frederick Biro, Executive Director 905-458-1340.