City of Winnipeg will not challenge arbitrator ruling on police pensions: Bowman

The City of Winnipeg likely won't pursue a judicial review of last month's arbitration ruling in favour of the union representing Winnipeg police officers, regarding changes to their pension plan, Mayor Brian Bowman said Thursday.

In December, city council voted to change the pension plan in an attempt to save roughly $12 million that would be put toward other police services and initiatives — but did so without negotiating with the Winnipeg Police Association.

A provincial arbitrator ruled on March 27 that the move breached the union's collective bargaining agreement, and the city had to pay a total of more than $600,000 in damages to the union and each member of the Winnipeg Police Service.

"Obviously [I'm] very disappointed in the arbitrator's decision, but I respect the fact that that decision has been made and clarity has been provided on council's ability to act unilaterally and so we'll respect that decision," Bowman told reporters Thursday.

"I'm not prepared to pursue judicial review and I haven't heard from any member of council who has expressed an interest in seeking judicial review."

In the meantime, there is now a gaping hole in the budget that needs to be filled.

The 2020-23 multi-year budget forecasted savings of about $37 million over four years from the pension changes voted for by city council. But because of the arbitrator's decision, "the city can't rely on those savings and a shortfall has been created in the city's operating budgets that will need to be addressed in 2020," said Bowman.

The shortfall for this year is about $6 million, he added.

Bowman told reporters he spoke with Winnipeg police Chief Danny Smyth on Thursday and asked him "to sharpen his pencil" and find possible cuts to the police budget.

Smyth "agreed to do his best," Bowman said.

The mayor also tried speaking with Maurice Sabourin, president of the WPA, but was told he is unavailable until some time next week, Bowman said.

As part of the four-year budget, annual updates were installed to ensure the budget remains balanced. Bowman said he'll be looking at those updates to make sure the $37-million gap gets filled.