Arbitrator awards Windsor Police Service nearly $2 million

by Rob Benneian

An arbitrator has awarded Windsor Police Service a wage increase that will increase their budget by nearly $2 million.

The ruling will boost Windsor police officers’ salary by 11.59 per cent over the course of the four-year deal. The increase will bring Windsor’s wages in line with other Ontario police agencies.

“The number (11.59) per cent, I know when people hear that it sounds like an overwhelming amount but you have to bear in mind that these are basically 2.8 per cent increases that are annual because this is a four-year term,” said Sgt. Matt D’Asti. “It’s not like it’s a one year award of (11.59) per cent.”

WPS had been working without a contract for the past two years. The deal will take effect retroactively to cover the previous two years as well as 2013 and 2014. By January 2014 a first-class constable in Windsor, with a population of just over 200,000, will make $90,300 per year compared to the $86,365.94 a first-class constable makes in Toronto, with a population exceeding 2.6 million.

Chief Al Frederick has said he will not consider layoffs as a means of covering the $1.8 million addition to the budget. However, the increased wages may lead to decreased staff numbers in other ways.

“The police realize the money has to come from somewhere and Chief Frederick has made some indications that there could be some attrition for years going forward, but he will definitely do his best to avoid any layoffs,” said D’Asti. “I think the (Windsor Police Service) is prepared and we understand we have a budget we must restrain to. We receive that from the city and we must do what we can to follow it.”
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