On Wednesday, September 7th, National President David Neufeld and Regional Vice-President, Valda Behrens, visited two departments in Yellowknife, NWT. They were supported by Local President, Samuel Bourget.
The morning was spent at G Division where President Neufeld and RVP Behrens were given a tour of the detachment. Many members were met throughout the tour and spoke about how they enjoyed working at G Division. Discussions revolved around the 12 recommendations made in the Detachment Services Assistant report, the union’s on-going advocacy for a hybrid work environment and the challenges members face when working in the North.
Members highlighted the high cost of living in Yellowknife. Members also shared their concerns around the Isolated Post Allowance and how, with rising inflation, the allowance amount provided proves insufficient. Access to governmental housing was also criticized.
This high cost of living hinders many administrative positions from being filled. It was reported that several CR-04 positions remain vacant. In fact, they are to be reclassified to a higher level to increase their appeal for potential candidates. It was suggested that recruitment and retention would be enhanced in the North if the federal government were to make the Isolated Post Allowance pensionable. Despite the staffing challenges, USJE members continue to pull together and feel a strong dedication to their work within the RCMP.
During the tour, President Neufeld and RVP Behrens got the opportunity to sit down with the Acting Commanding Officer, Jeffrey Christie. USJE shared the DSA Report with CO Christie and reviewed at length the challenges that DSAs face in their daily work. President Neufeld also highlighted the importance for the RCMP to treat all categories of employees equally, including having common benefit packages, optional physical exercise during the workday and an extension of mental health supports.
President Neufeld was pleased with CO Christie’s understanding of these issues and how implementing the recommendations from the DSA Report could help to strengthen the workplace.
After meeting with CO Christie, President Neufeld and RVP Behrens attended the RCMP / Justice / PPSC Local’s Annual General Meeting. This provided another opportunity to meet with the members and discuss important subjects such as member engagement and the upcoming USJE Triennial Convention.
In the afternoon, President Neufeld and RVP Behrens were given a tour of the Public Prosecutions Services Canada office. The tour was provided by Vice-President, Tyler Morehouse. This tour provided the opportunity to meet with USJE members on the front line and discuss their working conditions. Most members referenced the fact that they enjoy working for PPSC. USJE representatives were informed that there has been some significant turnover at the site more recently and that many new staff have been hired to fill vacant positions.
President Neufeld discussed the hybrid work environment with members during the visit. It was clear that most members feel that a hybrid work environment is the new normal and that they would like to see more of it. Many cited that poor internet connections within the city of Yellowknife can have an impact on working from home even though network quality seems to have improved in recent months. They also shared that it is quite easy for them to come into the office when they run into issues with connectivity.
During the tour, the USJE representatives also got to meet with the Chief Federal Prosecutor, Alex Godfrey. Much time was spent discussing issues around maintaining appropriate staffing levels at the site and what would contribute to making PPSC an employer of choice in Yellowknife. Mr. Godfrey shared that, during most of the pandemic, employees were working on site but that flexibility regarding working from home was provided. Quoting previous conversations with the hierarchy, President Neufeld stressed that PPSC has expressed a desire to keep a hybrid work environment for its staff. It is hoped that the site will continue to support greater flexibility for hybrid working conditions in the future for those members who prefer to work from home.