(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)

The union representing Kamloops bylaw enforcement officers and jail guards has taken a strong stance against the City's bylaw department restructuring plan.

In September, the City announced that the Bylaw Services Division would become the new Community Services Division, which respond to a wider variety of community service calls in addition to animal control, parking services and nuisance property complaints.

READ MORE: Kamloops doesn't have bylaw officers anymore — they're 'community service officers'

However, according to Canadian Union of Public Employees, the City does not have the right under the collective agreement to unilaterally force through the restructuring it has planned.

“The City is forcing through an inefficient and ill-conceived restructuring plan for the by-law enforcement department that will mean fewer officers doing more work,” Carmen Sullivan, president of CUPE 900, said in a media release. "These plans were conceived by a management group with little or no bylaw experience. There has been no supporting data or studies provided that suggest this restructuring is in any way better for the community."

Further, they argue that drastic changes to the way bylaws are enforced will mean higher costs for less service and pose a possible threat to public safety.

Tammy Blundell, the City’s community services manager, has said the restructuring would involve training officers conflict resolution mediation, mental health, first aid and cultural awareness so that they can address a wider range of social issues. She said the 17 full-time equivalent bylaw officers will be offered a chance to step into the new roles and those who don’t want to take on the new roles will be offered other City jobs.

READ MORE: How Kamloops is trying to deal with a wide range of social issues facing all cities in B.C.

Although the union is not opposed to change, they said repeated attempts have been made to work with the City of Kamloops to address problems with the restructuring, which have been rejected.

“Bylaw enforcement officers and jail guards are proud to serve Kamloops and help protect their families, friends and neighbours in the community. They have loyally served the City — in some cases for more than 30 years — and they deserve to be heard,” Sullivan said. “As the restructuring stands now, many officers and guards will lose their jobs, and those who don’t will be expected to dramatically reorient their lives around a shift structure that does not allow for any work life balance. It’s just not right.”

The union said the City has given them no alternative but to move forward with an arbitration that is set for August 2021.

“The Mayor and council should stop this process until an arbitrator is able to rule on the matter,” Sullivan said. “That is the best way to ensure community and public safety, as well as ensure workers are safe on the job. CUPE 900 has an obligation to protect our members and will ensure that by-law enforcement officers and jail guards are treated fairly.”

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