Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Association Ratifies Collective Agreement with Provincial Government

The Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board and Minister Responsible for the Human Resource Secretariat, today announced that members of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Association (RNCA) have ratified the collective agreement reached on March 20, 2013.

“This agreement provides new benefits for members of the RNCA, such as a new maternity-parental leave benefit which will see income top-up for new parents,” said Minister Kennedy. “It is also in keeping with the current fiscal reality of the province, in that severance pay will be eliminated in an effort to achieve sustainability. We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the RNCA that achieves a balance between both groups.”

Under the new agreement, a police officer taking maternity/adoption/parental leave may be eligible to receive more than 90 per cent of his or her weekly pay rate, each week for up to 17 weeks of leave. The agreement also includes elimination of severance pay, and effective September 30, 2013, severance pay will no longer be accrued by employees. Those who currently meet the qualifications for severance can opt to take a one-time payout, and may elect to receive this payment by notifying the employer prior to September 30, 2013.

“Our members have accepted this agreement with more than a 90 per cent majority in favour and is reflective of the new reality in policing,” said Tim Buckle, President of RNCA. “The recruitment of females in this nontraditional workplace makes the RNC that much more attractive for young women and families by providing this financial support during periods of leave for parental reasons.”

Salaries for RNCA members are determined through a compensation formula using analysis of comparable sized police forces across the country.

“Members of the RNCA are valued contributors to communities throughout the province,” said the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Justice. “The RNCA represents 350 public employees and I am pleased this agreement has been reached, which benefits both the members, and the employer.”

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2013 04 04                           1:50 p.m.