Local 104 worried RCMP move from Truro to Dartmouth will put strain on workers

Elizabeth McMillan · CBC News · Posted: Jan 28, 2020 The RCMP is moving ahead with plans to relocate its Nova Scotia dispatch centre from Truro to its provincial headquarters in Dartmouth next year, despite concerns it could strain staff forced to commute after long shifts or be a liability in an emergency. A consultant has been picked to study how the communications centre would be brought up and running again in the event of a catastrophe affecting the headquarters. The contractor will start the work after a security clearance, Cpl. Jennifer Clarke said in an emailed statement. About 70 people work at the Truro operational communications centre. They answer the public’s 911 calls — calming callers, performing background checks and assessing any potential risks for the officers they dispatch. Operational staff work 12-hour shifts and are often the public’s first point of contact in very challenging situations, said Kathleen Hippern, who works in Truro as a supervisor and … Read more…

CUPE Nova Scotia Women’s Committee calls on province for prevention strategies and services to combat femicide

The CUPE Nova Scotia Women’s Committee is encouraging members, co-workers, friends and families to take action to stop femicide and to attend a vigil in their community to observe the National Day of Remembrance and Action to End Violence Against Women on December 6th (see list of events below). This year, the committee would like to bring attention to the report #CallItFemicide: Understanding gender-related killings of women and girls in Canada 2018. Published by the Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability (CFOJA), this study concluded that “a firm political commitment was required before any of the practical or technical steps could be progressed forward”. Using the data and evidence found within the study, the CFOJA is calling for “the development of prevention strategies and services to combat femicide and other forms of violence against women”. The report is available at https://femicideincanada.ca/callitfemicide.pdf. “The CUPE Nova Scotia Women’s Committee is asking the … Read more…