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Members of the RCMP are removing the yellow stripe off their uniforms as a sign of solidarity and protest.
The national police force has taken issue with their staffing numbers and wages.
An announcement on April 6 said the RCMP would be receiving a raise in pay from the Treasure Board.
Eddie MacDonald is a retired staff sergeant with the RCMP and the co-chair of the National Police Federation, which is looking to become the bargaining agent for the force.
He said despite the increase, the RCMP are still ranked 72 out of 80 for police officer salary.
“That is absolutely pathetic,” MacDonald told Gormley Tuesday.
MacDonald said a first-class constable with the Saskatoon police made $11,000 more than a first-class constable with the RCMP.
The RCMP is the only police force in Canada not represented by a union.
MacDonald said RCMP members are signalling they want to change that with many people joining the National Police Federation.
As of April 11, 2017, more than 9,200 members had signed up.
MacDonald is also standing behind the members’ decision to take off the yellow stripe.
“It’s a non-threatening way of trying to show our displeasure, our discontent towards the government and towards our commissioner.”
The National Police Federation is currently going through the process of finding out what they need to do in order to become the bargaining agent for the force.
