News

2026-02-05

Earlier today, we met with the RCMP Deputy Commissioner and senior management regarding workforce adjustment discussions currently taking place within the RCMP.

You may be hearing conversations about attrition measures, the closing of vacant positions, and potential workforce adjustment notices. Those discussions are real and will affect certain areas within the RCMP.

What we were clearly advised today is that OCC Operators and Intercept Monitor Analysts are excluded from RCMP workforce adjustment measures.

This was stated directly to us at the senior management level.

We are also aware that workforce adjustment notices are expected to be issued later this month to other RCMP bargaining groups, with approximately 250–300 positions potentially impacted. That is significant, and we remain mindful that colleagues elsewhere in the organization may be facing uncertainty.

For our group, this exclusion reflects sustained advocacy around staffing shortages, operational risk, and the essential nature of Public Safety Communicators within the RCMP. Your work is critical, and that reality is being acknowledged.

We have a further meeting scheduled with the Commissioner later this month to continue discussions on broader matters affecting our group. We will continue to press forward on your behalf.

For now, please know that as of today’s meeting, our group is not subject to RCMP workforce adjustment measures.

We will provide further updates as appropriate.

The Senate of Canada is currently examining proposed budget measures that would reduce benefits under the RCMP Veteran Disability Program. These proposed changes with regards to indexation appear to apply only to RCMP veterans and not to Canadian Armed Forces veterans.

This issue has raised serious concern. Many current and former RCMP members, including Civilian Members, have reached out expressing genuine distress about the potential impact of these changes.

Testimony before the Senate and through the RCMP’s direct correspondence with our union indicates that RCMP senior management supports these proposed cuts, which makes parliamentary scrutiny all the more critical.

What is happening now

• A Senate subcommittee has been struck to examine this issue in more detail
• The subcommittee’s first meeting is scheduled for February 4, 2026
• Written submissions and testimony are now on the public record

Senate testimony and written submissions:

https://sencanada.ca/en/committees/SECD/Briefs/45-1#?Session=45-1

https://senparlvu.parl.gc.ca/harmony/en/powerbrowser/powerbrowserv2?fk=679848&globalstreamid=3

CUPE 104 is grateful to the senators who are closely examining this matter and remains deeply concerned about the direction these proposals are taking.

RCMP veterans deserve fairness, transparency, and respect, not unilateral reductions to disability supports.

To all CUPE Local 104 Members,

Many of you have received a force-wide message and individual notifications regarding a pause related to the calculation of cumulative service toward term-to-indeterminate conversion after three consecutive years of service. We recognize this has been unsettling, particularly for members who received this information while on shift and trying to do their job.

For clarity, this decision was first communicated to us on Friday, with implementation taking effect the following business day, which was yesterday. There was no consultation prior to implementation.

Approximately 158 CUPE 104 members nationally are affected, representing a significant portion of our members currently active on duty.

No action is required upon receiving this notice.  Your day-to-day work expectations have not changed, and you should continue to report to work as scheduled while this situation is being actively addressed.

We are working to obtain clearer information on the scope, duration, and implications of this decision and to raise the concerns it has created, including the stress and uncertainty members are experiencing.

Further updates will be shared as more information becomes available.

Thank you for your continued professionalism under difficult circumstances.

In solidarity,

Your CUPE 104 Executive

Dear Members,

It is with deep sadness that we share the news that a Public Safety Communicator from within our union family passed away the night before last. This loss is being felt most directly in Red Deer and Edmonton, but we know it will touch many across the country.

As Public Safety Communicators, we share a unique bond. Together, we carry the weight of Canada’s most difficult moments. When we lose one of our own, it is a reminder of both the toll this work can take and the importance of leaning on one another.

During this time, please remember that supports are available:

• If you are in immediate distress: Call or text 9-8-8. Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): 1-800-268-7708
• Maple Virtual Health: CUPE 104 pays for your Maple membership, which gives you access to doctors 24/7/365. Counselling sessions are available at an additional fee, usually less than the going rates for private psychologists, and can be reimbursed through Canada Life.
• For Alberta members: Boots on the Ground Alberta  – Peer support available 24/7 at 1-866-724-2684.

As your union, CUPE 104 will continue pressing for stronger recognition, protections, and mental health supports for Public Safety Communicators. Today, however, our focus is on standing together in support of one another and holding space for those who are grieving.

In recognition of this difficult time, CUPE 104 is also pausing the current Western TO elections. We will provide an update on next steps once it is appropriate to do so.

On behalf of CUPE 104, our thoughts are with the member’s family, friends, and colleagues across Canada.

Sincerely,
CUPE Local 104 Executive

See CBC news article:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/rcmp-dispatch-911-staffing-1.7549880

Also have a listen to this which aired around the country on CBC Radio (go to minute 7:26)

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-10-world-report/clip/16149996-tuesdays-top-stories-10-minutes?fbclid=IwY2xjawKsBSpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFNVEhMbTZwZ0E1T3VlQnY2AR5eMH4qsOGcdWW5XwS6d4O4LFzBdNkUpysA3ttVje85_qeTSfkSU4eY2VlBaQ_aem_DvQXUuz3WFII_Kaof-jY9Q

RCMP OCC Audit (click download button):

https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/8fe64559-acfe-42be-9c38-842862e5e61d/resource/b56b45d0-f8a3-4b94-a7b5-adbd3054aa56?fbclid=IwY2xjawKsLsJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFlRWFRVTJlemMyQXlNNmtxAR5KcEWfkMVyEW6-KCzyVqcMnOPVyd9rrjdHOhSxteL4kdJSwkEmdotmkHey5g_aem_kqaGRvdpXpziClWF37p7qg

Audit des OCC de la GRC (cliquez sur le bouton de téléchargement):

https://ouvert.canada.ca/data/fr/dataset/8fe64559-acfe-42be-9c38-842862e5e61d/resource/b56b45d0-f8a3-4b94-a7b5-adbd3054aa56?fbclid=IwY2xjawKsLvpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFlRWFRVTJlemMyQXlNNmtxAR4dkYwH8SZxWY5EG0LmcHsl_es9avEVFnTfx4Cr5QXdNh-ng_4ExnrbWQeY-Q_aem_Oe92J8QP7wKOctHqWVIsKQ

This is your final chance to speak directly to RCMP Senior Management and Treasury Board.

CUPE 104 is collecting anonymous testimonials from LES-PO Public Safety Communicators to present during bargaining and high-level meetings, and the deadline is Friday, May 23.

We’ve heard from many of you already, and your stories are powerful. But the more voices we have, the stronger our case becomes.

If you haven’t submitted yet, please take a few minutes now. This is one of the most important ways you can contribute to real change.

Submit anonymously here:

https://104.cupe.ca/share-your-experience-we-want-to-hear-from-you/

Deadline: Friday, May 23 at 11:59 p.m. local time

What we want to know:

1. What are the positive aspects of your job? What are the factors that bring you pride in your work? Why did you choose this line of work?
2. What are the more difficult aspects of your job? How does your work impact your well-being and your mental health? Which are the most problematic aspects of your working conditions?

How has the staff shortage affected you?

3. Any other concerns? Feel free to comment on what you want the employer to understand about the work that you do.

Your voice matters, your story is safe, and together we can make sure they finally hear the truth directly from us.

In solidarity,

Your CUPE 104 executive
Kathleen, Myles, Robbin, Robb, Cyrus, Marc-Étienne, Alex, Brandon, Randy and Nicole.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU — IN YOUR OWN WORDS

Our workplaces are in crisis, and nobody understands that better than the people living it every single day.
CUPE 104 is launching an important initiative to collect YOUR voice, the voice of the LES-PO group of Public Safety Communicators, to take directly to both RCMP Senior Management and Treasury Board during bargaining.

This is your chance to speak directly to the decision-makers, completely anonymously, about the pride you take in your work, the challenges you face, and the unacceptable conditions we continue to endure.

WHY THIS MATTERS
For too long, RCMP leadership and Treasury Board have ignored the growing crisis in our workplaces.
Chronic staffing shortages, unfair policies, and systemic leadership failures are pushing dedicated employees past their breaking point, and creating real risks to the public safety and security of Canadians.

We are proud professionals doing critical public safety work. But there is a cost when these issues go unchecked, not just to our well-being, but to the very communities we serve.
This time, they won’t just hear from the union, they’ll hear from YOU.

Your stories, in your own words, will be compiled and presented as evidence in bargaining and in direct discussions with RCMP Senior Management.
This is about telling the truth no report or statistic can capture.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE
It’s simple. It’s anonymous. It matters.
Complete the form at the link below:
https://104.cupe.ca/share-your-experience-we-want-to-hear-from-you/
Maximum 500 words per answer, say as much or as little as you like. No names. No identifiers.

THIS IS HOW WE PUSH FOR CHANGE.
Every story matters. Every voice makes us stronger.
We are proud of the work we do, but pride doesn’t pay the bills. Pride doesn’t fix broken systems. And pride doesn’t stop burnout.
Let’s make sure they can’t ignore us any longer.

In solidarity,

Your CUPE 104 executive
Kathleen, Myles, Robbin, Robb, Cyrus, Marc-Étienne, Alex, Brandon, Randy and Nicole.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU — IN YOUR OWN WORDS

Our workplaces are in crisis, and nobody understands that better than the people living it every single day.

CUPE 104 is launching an important initiative to collect YOUR voice, the voice of the LES-PO group of Public Safety Communicators, to take directly to both RCMP Senior Management and Treasury Board during bargaining.

This is your chance to speak directly to the decision-makers, completely anonymously, about the pride you take in your work, the challenges you face, and the unacceptable conditions we continue to endure.

WHY THIS MATTERS

For too long, RCMP leadership and Treasury Board have ignored the growing crisis in our workplaces. Chronic staffing shortages, unfair policies, and systemic leadership failures are pushing dedicated employees past their breaking point, and creating real risks to the public safety and security of Canadians.

We are proud professionals doing critical public safety work. But there is a cost when these issues go unchecked, not just to our well-being, but to the very communities we serve.

This time, they won’t just hear from the union, they’ll hear from YOU.

Your stories, in your own words, will be compiled and presented as evidence in bargaining and in direct discussions with RCMP Senior Management.

This is about telling the truth no report or statistic can capture.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

It’s simple. It’s anonymous. It matters.

Complete the form at the link below:

https://104.cupe.ca/share-your-experience-we-want-to-hear-from-you/

Maximum 500 words per answer, say as much or as little as you like. No names. No identifiers.

THIS IS HOW WE PUSH FOR CHANGE.

Every story matters. Every voice makes us stronger.

We are proud of the work we do, but pride doesn’t pay the bills. Pride doesn’t fix broken systems. And pride doesn’t stop burnout.

Let’s make sure they can’t ignore us any longer.

In Solidarity,

CUPE 104 Executive

This week, we are celebrating you, the incredible members of CUPE 104.

Public Safety Communicators are often the first to know when something has gone terribly wrong, and sometimes the only ones who truly understand what it means to carry that weight long after a shift ends.

Whether you are answering calls for help, coordinating emergency response, or quietly listening for danger before it happens and preventing it, your work makes a difference in ways most people will never see.

But we see you.

We see the long hours, the missed holidays, the quiet professionalism, and the moments of heartbreak and pride that come with doing this job. We know the toll it can take, but also the extraordinary skill, courage, and heart it takes to do it.

This week is for you.

Thank you for showing up, for standing together, and for being the calm in the chaos when Canadians need it most.

From your union family at CUPE 104 — we are proud of you, we stand with you, and we appreciate you more than words can say.

Your CUPE 104 executive
Kathleen, Robbin, Robb, Cyrus, Marc-Étienne, Alex, Brandon, Randy and Nicole.