Binding Arbitration Changes For Police, Firefighters

The New Brunswick government has introduced controversial amendments to binding arbitration for police officers and firefighters.

As part of the changes, arbitrators would be required to consider a municipality’s ability to pay when rendering a decision.

The move is in response to a request made by municipalities. They have said police and fire costs have been growing at an “unsustainable” rate.

“Municipalities across the province have highlighted problems with arbitration awards for the police and fire sectors and requested these amendments,” said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Trevor Holder in a news release.

“Municipalities have observed that the wages and awards determined through arbitration are higher than wages and awards arrived at through the free collective bargaining process.”

But police and fire unions, including the New Brunswick Police Association, have said the change would “undermine” the collective bargaining process.

The association has also said there has been absolutely no consultation with municipalities about the changes.

Binding arbitration used to reach a collective agreement when negotiations fail between unions and municipalities.

Under the Industrial Relations Act, police officers and firefighters do not have the right to strike and their employers do not have the right to declare a lock-out.

The bill will be referred to the standing committee on law amendments to provide municipalities and unions with the chance to comment and consult on the proposed changes.

More details on the process are expected to be released in the coming weeks.