The Saanich Police Board and Saanich Police Association have ratified a new 3-year collective agreement. The old agreement expired almost 2 years ago -- at the end of 2015.
This September the parties began hammering out a new agreement. Bargaining concluded in October. The deal includes salary increases and minor adjustments to benefits and allowances.
Salary increases of 3.5% and 2.5% are retroactive to January 2016 and '17 respectively. There's also a 2.5% hike as of January 1st next year.
The increases are consistent with agreements reached by most other municipal police departments in the province, including Victoria and Central Saanich.
There were also language updates -- with particular attention given to ensuring new language is inclusive of all individuals regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
The new agreement ends on December 31st, 2018.