Local 1995-Cape Breton Regional Municipality Police Services: Update on Staffing Concerns

Following meetings and discussions with your executive this Spring, I wrote to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality Mayor in late June to advise her of the serious staffing concerns that have been raised with the union on behalf of members of Local 1995.

The Mayor responded that it would be inappropriate for her to intervene in a HR-related issue such as this, and that she would prefer the union met with appropriate staff. We subsequently reached out to schedule a meeting with CBRM CAO Marie Walsh, Director of Human Resources, and Chief Robert Walsh. First Vice President Hugh Gillis, Serving Coordinator Jim Gosse and myself met with Chief Walsh on September 13th. Chief Walsh acknowledged the critical staffing shortages and committed to explore what can be done to address these critical concerns. Chief Walsh was eager to schedule a follow-up meeting with us and your local executive and this meeting will take place on October 17th in Sydney.

Chief Walsh’s willingness to acknowledge the issues you are all facing in your workplace and his eagerness to schedule a follow-up meeting to look at solutions is encouraging.

We will continue to advocate for appropriate staffing that will help mitigate risk to all of you and the communities you serve and protect and we will provide an update following our meeting on October 17th.

Thank you for all you do on behalf of the citizens you serve.

Sandra Mullen

President, NSGEU