MICHIGAN STATE POLICE

Here is the statement from Director of the Michigan State Police and the USA Today story on the Michigan State Police's plan to close 21 posts across the state.

IN OZ

Police wages continue to be a topic of conversation in countries around the world, including Australia.

HOW RELUCTANTLY THE MIND CONSENTS TO REALITY

As the British author Norman Douglas once said, “How reluctantly the mind consents to reality!”

As I sit here in my seventh day of face-to-face contract negotiations with the Toronto Police Association, where we have made negligible progress, I cannot help but wonder if they were speaking about Mike McCormack, TPA President.

Around the world, communities are adapting to some harsh fiscal realities. Policing is not exempt.

In England and Wales, they are talking about wage reductions and laying off officers.

In Camden, NJ, they have laid off half of the police force.

And I know I don’t need to tell you what is happening with public services, including policing, in the states of Wisconsin and Ohio.

While things are not quite as dire here in Toronto, there are a few realities that all public sector employers, unions and associations MUST face:

1. The City of Toronto is facing a $744 million budget shortfall.
2. Public sector employers, unions and associations, must adapt to this and address the rising costs of public services, including policing.

That is the reality facing the Toronto Police Services Board and the residents of the City of Toronto as we try to achieve a fair collective agreement that strikes a balance between fair compensation for members and a fair deal for taxpayers and residents of Toronto.

Is it too much to hope that the Toronto Police Association will soon consent to join us in that reality?

 

 

 

While in England and Wales

The issue of police wages are top of mind for the British home secretary, Theresa May. She recently said that pay cuts for police officers are essential in order to minimise front line job losses at forces in England and Wales.

She went on to say that "There's no question that pay restraint and pay reform must form part of the package.  If you are going to find savings, pay is a good place to start”. 
"I want to protect police jobs and keep officers on the street, and we can only do that if we reform pay and conditions for all officers."

You can read the whole story and others here.

THE ARBITRATION TALK CONTINUES

Today's Toronto Star editorial focuses on Ontario's arbitration system.


Here is an excerpt:

"Labour relations can be extraordinarily complicated and there are variations on the final offer concept. How it should be applied to essential workers in Ontario’s public sector warrants extensive debate. But Queen’s Park should start that discussion. With 10,000 transit workers about to be declared essential, and the province deep in deficit, finding an improved arbitration system should be a priority."

Read the full article here.

ARBITRATION TALK

Across Ontario's emergency services sector there seems to be increased talk and media coverage on the issue of arbitrated awards. 

You can read the stories here,  here,  here,  here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.