Newmarket Era, June 30, 2016

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POLICE

York officers take action over ‘punitive’ discipline ‘Morale lowest I’ve ever seen in my 30 years,’ union secretary tells media BY JEREMY GRIMALDI

T

jgrimaldi@yrmg.com

he police union in York Region officially began ‘work to rule’ job action Monday morning, after members voted to begin voicing their displeasure with the York Regional Police’s executive command unit. Although officers are forbidden from striking or picketing by the Police Services Act, there are still a number of actions that can be taken, including speaking to the community about concerns and wearing pins, T-shirts and hats saying: “Supporting our Community” to public events. Beyond that, officers may opt to take their two mandated 45-minute breaks during a shift rather than skipping them, union president Todd Sepkowski said. A police source said officers would also use their discretion when writing tickets and may choose to issue warnings instead. The decision comes at an already heated time, months after contract negotiations were put on hold after the union asked for mediation. A lot of the issues come down to the punitive oversight officers put up with on a daily basis, York Regional Police Association secretary Phil Shrewsbury-Gee said. “Morale is the lowest I’ve ever seen in my 30 years,” he said.

i

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“Discipline and the management of discipline used to be educational and corrective, that’s now gone to punitive.” Shrewsbury-Gee said, specifically, the more than 1,500 serving members find it unreasonable they are being fined hundreds of dollars for running red lights while performing their duties. In numerous instances, officers have been fined 2-1/2 times the standard fee for motorists who run red lights, which is about $165. An officer in Richmond Hill was docked eight hours pay, about $350, after running a red light even though he witnessed the suspect he was chasing run the same light moments before. Another officer was investigated for running a stop sign while chasing a suspected impaired driver in Vaughan months later, but, in the end, wasn’t fined for his behaviour. Only months ago, an officer was docked pay after chasing a break-and-enter suspect and running a red in Markham. “That sort of discipline doesn’t reflect in the priSee page A2.

Staff photo/Mike Barrett

York Regional Police Association president Todd Sepkowski says officers are frustrated by the executive command unit, so, as of Monday, 1,500 union members are on a work-to-rule campaign.

COUNCIL

WHAT’S ONLINE

Sponga resigns council seat to avoid ‘potential court spat’

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Town mum on reasons behind abrupt departure BY CHRIS SIMON

J

csimon@yrmg.com

oe Sponga’s public resignation from municipal politics Monday night remains shrouded in secrecy. The longtime Newmarket Ward 5 councillor made a vague statement in chambers laced with innuendo about potential lawsuits and code of conduct complaints and announced he is walking away to avoid exposing his family to a “potential media and court spat”. Sponga apologized to residents, specifically those in his ward, for the

decision. “I’m sorry to leave you at this time,” he said. “My values and work ethics are based on a collaborative, inclusive, creative and progressive environment. We’ve shared many debates in this spirit. I’m at a crossroads and the path ahead is marred with controversy, potential lawsuits, Code of Conduct complaints. This is not the path of positive and constructive work that defines me. I will not engage personal resources to fight these allegations. I will now excuse myself from these chambers See page A2.

❐ CELEBRATE: We list all the best Canada Day events: bit.ly/292LyRm ❐ END TO PUPPY MILLS: Richmond Hill takes action: bit.ly/29cvgtX ❐ EXPLOSION AFTERMATH: Search, rescue after Mississauga house explodes: bit.ly/294uD2e Staff file photo

Longtime Ward 5 councillor Joe Sponga resigned his seat and abruptly walked out of Monday’s meeting.

CANADA POST SERVICE

❐ DINE SAFE YORK: Find our which restaurants and pubs aren’t meeting health standards. bit.ly/1KpTRrt

EDUCATION

Labour dispute could be last ‘nail in coffin’ BY LISA QUEEN

A

lqueen@yrmg.com

lthough Canada Post has put an offer on the table, unionized workers are preparing to be locked out as early as this weekend, according to a union leader. “It’s still on the table as of right now for July 2, a potential lock out,” Derek Richmond, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers’ Ontario region co-ordinator, said. “We’re preparing for July 2. We don’t want to do any strike action. Staff photo/Susie Kockerscheidt We don’t want the corporation to Canada Post unionized workers are preparing to be locked out as early lock everybody out. We want to negotiate a fair collective agreeas this weekend, according to a union leader. ment and continue to work.” The union received an offer ing services at postal retail stores from Canada Post Sunday and in smaller communities, he said. national union officials are review“Canada Post has made a ing it, said Richmond, also third profit 19 of the last 21 years and ❑ Comments about this issue? vice-president and lockout co(there) is no need to cut service Email newsroom@yrmg.com ordinator with Scarborough Local for Canadians,” Richmond added 602, which represents workers in in an email. York and Durham regions and and new Canadians who are paid “Weekend parcel delivery was North York and Scarborough. 25 per cent less than urban carproposed by the corporation, The offer does not address pay riers. but it will be precarious PT (part equality between urban and rural It also doesn’t address expandworkers, he said, adding 70 per ing service to Canadians through See page A6. cent of rural carriers are women measures such as providing bank-

GET CONNECTED

Lose

Catholic board blames $4.9M deficit on province

A

BY LISA QUEEN

lqueen@yrmg.com

little breathing room. That’s what York Region’s Catholic school trustees have bought themselves by passing a budget Wednesday morning that remains in the red. Originally faced with a possible deficit of $12 million, trustees with the York Catholic District School Board managed to make enough cuts to reduce that to $4.9 million. While it is illegal under provincial legislation for school boards to have a deficit, bringing the deficit down to less than 1 per cent of the $576-million operating budget means trustees don’t have to worry

about Queen’s Park taking over the board, at least until final financial and enrolment figures are calculated at the end of the year. Slashing the deficit down to $4.9 million comes at a cost, although there will be no layoffs as the board will reduce staffing through “adjustments”, such as a hiring freeze, attrition and re-aligning workers. For example, special education funding is being cut by $600,000 through staffing and other adjustments. The board will save $2.1 million through curriculum and administrative staffing adjust-

See page A7.

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