New deal expires in seven months after almost two years of talks
May 26, 2009 - 12:35 PM
Jeff Hayward
Salary increases and enhanced benefits have been awarded the Durham Police service's officers and civilian employees in an arbitrator's ruling made public last week.
Officers will receive salary hikes of 3.13 per cent and 3.02 per cent during the two-year span of the contract, which is retroactive to January 2008; the new deal expires at the end of 2009. The salary of a First-Class Constable will now be more than $78,000, which is comparable to other forces in the GTA.
Also included in the package are what are described as "modest" wage hikes for civilian employees and benefits improvements for both current association members and retirees.
Members of the Durham Regional Police Association had been without a contract since the end of 2007.
Association president Doug Cavanaugh expressed satisfaction with the arbitrator's ruling, even as he reiterated his frustration at not being able to strike a deal with Durham's Police Services Board. This is the second consecutive contract dispute to be settled by arbitration, he noted.
"It's nothing that we shouldn't have been able to negotiate," Mr. Cavanaugh said.
"A lot of things in the award are things we were asking for."
The association and the board were not far apart on wages but disagreed on benefits, Mr. Cavanaugh said.
In a statement, Beaverton resident and board chairman Terry Clayton called the arbitrator's ruling fair to both sides.
"I am satisfied that the arbitrator struck a balance between enhancing the collective agreements and recognizing the economic challenges that are facing our region," Mr. Clayton said.
"We look forward to reaching a negotiated settlement with the DRPA during the next round of bargaining."
That next round is just over six months away. Mr. Cavanaugh expressed hope the parties can avoid the kind of impasse and acrimony that have been the hallmark of recent negotiations. Last year's talks were marked by angry words on both sides and a months-long job action by officers.
"I can only hope that changes," he said.
"But I don't have any reason to think it will."
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