This is the longest term for a collective agreement for police services in the history of the Town of New Glasgow. The new agreement will cover the term of April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2019 with consecutive salary increases of 2.5, 2.25, 2.5, 2.25 and 2.5 per cent per year.
The bargaining team consisted of three members of the New Glasgow Regional Police Association, Local 103: Cst. Harvey Timmons, Cst. Kyle Lesko and Cst. Ryan Leil and town representatives: Chief Administrative Officer Lisa MacDonald, Police Chief Delaney Chisholm, Deputy Police Chief Eric MacNeil, and Town Solicitor Frank Demont.
“We are extremely pleased with the cooperative approach of the Town of New Glasgow,” says Cst. Harvey Timmons, President of the New Glasgow Regional Police Association Local 103 and the Area Director of the Atlantic Police Association (APA) for Pictou County. “Our talks were very productive right from day one and we reached an agreement in just five days of bargaining.
Timmons also noted that the collective agreement will position the police force to continue our delivery of a high standard of service while also enabling their officers to continue to be well-trained and well-equipped.
Chair of the New Glasgow Regional Police Commission, Deputy Mayor Jack Lewis said the process went smoothly as both parties recognized the importance of a collaborative method with a shared vision and goals.
“The Town of New Glasgow is very pleased with the police contract negotiations,” said Mayor Barrie MacMillan. "Our police play an essential role in the safety and security of our community and our officers take on risk each and every day. We want our officers to be compensated in keeping with the level of responsibility they undertake and the risks associated with their occupation.
New Glasgow Regional Police Chief Delaney Chisholm said the new five year collective agreement enables us to plan for a strong and sustainable future.
"I would like to thank our members for their professionalism and dedication not only throughout the bargaining process but also every day on the job."
NGRPS provides policing for a population total of 12,178 for the towns of New Glasgow and Trenton on a 24/7 basis.
"New Glasgow is also an active commercial and cultural centre that services 50,000 on a daily basis and more than 100,000 on a frequent base," said Chisholm.
The contract received overwhelming support from the police union members and required no conciliation, no mediation or arbitration.
