Kamloops loses labour relations board appeal over bylaw department overhaul

The City of Kamloops has to get back to the negotiating table after it violated a union agreement with its bylaw officers.

An arbitrator ruled in August the City forced changes to the bylaw department without a fair negotiation. The City then turned to the BC Labour Relations Board to claim it was denied a fair hearing.

The labour relations board dismissed the claim, Jan. 31.

The board upheld arbitrator Andy Sims' decision, which found the newly created Community Service Officer position did, and continues to, violate the union agreement. It also told the City and the union, the Canadian Union of Public Employees local 900, to come up with a solution.

If they can't negotiate, Sims said he would make an order on the employment terms of the new bylaw department.

READ MORE: Kamloops bylaw overhaul violated union agreement but dispute isn't over

The union said the hearings were fair to both sides, and went on to say that just because the City is "dissatisfied" with the results doesn't mean the decision should be reviewed.

Bylaw officers were renamed Community Service Officers in 2020, which came with added job and training requirements. The roll out of the change lasted months and it required officers to take fitness tests and get RCMP security clearance. New training had officers preparing to increase their role with social issues and to better assist RCMP.

The eventual goal is to have them recognized under the BC Police Act as peace officers, something that was only mentioned publicly more than two years after the department was overhauled.

READ MORE: Kamloops bylaw department on the way to 'peace officer' status

Bylaw officers had to meet the new requirements and those that couldn't had to apply for new jobs with the City.

It appears that after the August decision that told them to negotiate the changes again, the City quickly appealed the decision instead.

It's unclear how long it will take to settle with the union, but no one at the City has made any public indications it will revert to the former bylaw department structure.

City of Kamloops staff were not immediately available to comment, nor was a representative from the union.

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