York Regional Police officers have launched a work-to-rule campaign.
Members of the York Regional Police Association launched the job action on Monday, as the union and police force work towards an agreement. Officers have been without a contract for six months.
"This will not affect any kind of service to the community,” says Todd Sepkowski, president of the YRPA. “This is just about us bringing awareness to some of the frustration we are feeling."
Officer can’t legally picket or strike because they’re considered an essential service. Instead officers are wearing pins with the YRPA logo and plan to take both of their 45 minute lunch breaks.
Sepkowski wouldn’t detail the exact contractual dispute both sides are having, but says the problem goes much deeper.
"They've grown frustrated. Frustrated by the rules and constraints that have gone out of control,” he says. “The result of that is that the police are no longer able to do their jobs to the best of their ability and doing what's right."
For example, Sepkowski says an officer can be docked eight hours of pay for running a red light, while chasing a suspect.
The York Regional Police Board issued a statement about the collective bargaining agreement. In it the board said it was confident the YRP will continue to perform their duties at the high level to which people are accustomed to.
Again, neither side would discuss details about the contract or how have apart they are.
