Chronic staff shortage is putting Canadians’ safety at risk
According to RCMP’s own numbers, there is a 40% job vacancy at RCMP Emergency Communications Centres.
Unfortunately, when time is of the essence in a critical situation, Canadians are often waiting long minutes before someone is available to answer their call for help.
This short-staffing is not only putting Canadians in danger, it has devastating impacts on CUPE’s RCMP Emergency Communication specialists: workloads are heavier, stress is high, medical leaves and mental health issues are on the rise, vacations are denied, and retention is difficult.
Our members are public safety professionals who serve Canadians around the clock, every day of the year. They need to be in sufficient number to do their work properly for the benefit of Canadians. The public and our 1,200 members - who are still without a contract six years after joining CUPE - deserve better.
Please write to the President of the Treasury Board, the Minister of Public Safety, the RCMP Commissioner and your MP to end the short-staffing. And ask them to show respect at the bargaining table for RCMP Emergency Communication specialists who do vital work for Canadians.