The RCMP is urging the Treasury Board to reconsider a recent cut to a promised three-year pay increase.
In December, the Board decided it would cut the proposed 2009 increase of 3.5 per cent to 1.5 per cent, and cut the 2010 numbers from 2 per cent to 0.5 per cent.
The Board cited bad economic times as the reason for the pay cut. The RCMP is a non-unionized group.
A website has been set up to rally support for the officers. It says the pay cuts will have a negative effect on all communities, because the RCMP has to compete with other police forces for new recruits. The website states if the compensation is lower than other police services, new officers will be hard to recruit.
In response to the Board’s decision, The Mayor of Nanaimo sent a letter to the Fort St. John City Council asking for the City’s support.
Council will be looking at the issue at the regular meeting on Monday. It will then be decided whether the city will support the cause, and if the City will write a letter to the Treasury Board.
In a letter from Staff Sergeant Ward Johnson to City Council, Johnson notes the views on the pay cut are represented by some, but not all members of the RCMP.
For more information or to sign the petition, visit www.callforbackup.ca
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