Bargaining, arbitration changes proposed for OPP

Amendments would create bargaining consistency between provincial, city cops

Changes proposed to bargaining laws surrounding the Ontario Provincial Police will ensure consistency for all cops across the province, according to the government.

On Nov. 19, the province introduced amendments to the Ontario Provincial Police Collective Bargaining Act of 2006. Should the proposal pass, the management rights clause would be moved from the legislation and into the collective agreements for uniformed and civilian staff. It will affect about 9,000 Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA) members.

According to Madeleine Meilleur, community safety and correctional services minister, the amendments would keep OPP officers in line with the framework governing municipal police services. That includes the OPPA’s collective agreements and the Police Services Act.

“The proposed change will make the system fairer across the province and will not impact the OPP’s ability to deliver on its public safety mandate,” Meilleur said. “The bill will ensure greater consistency between the labour relations framework of the OPP and municipal police services.”

An effective date has yet to be determined.

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