Saint John police, union close to new contract

The Saint John Police Force and its union could be close to reaching a new collective agreement for its officers, according to the city's police association. 

Dean Secord, the chairman of the Saint John Police Association's negotiating committee, said the two sides met late last week and talks went well as they tried to hammer out a new deal.

Secord said the new collective agreement could be settled as early as next week.

"I feel very comfortable with this contract. I'm hoping that when the language comes back, it'll be a benefit to both parties," Secord said.

"I would anticipate that when we take it to our members they'll be happy with this contract."

He declined to say whether reduced wages or benefits would be part of the package.

Two weeks ago, the police union reluctantly agreed to some of Saint John council's planned amendments to the pension plan to deal with the $129-million deficit.

Some of the concessions included new officers must work until the age of 60, and using the best five years of employment to calculate pension, instead of the best three.

Under the pension reforms approved last month by Saint John council, officers could face a two-year wage freeze, or lose their disability benefits and spousal survival benefits.

The union, however, has maintained the city doesn't have the authority to change officers' wages and benefits, that's up to their employer, the Board of Police Commissioners.