In a January 17, 2018 article, iPolitics reported on an upcoming certification vote of the RCMP’s dispatch operators and wiretap monitors that could make them the first sworn members of Canada’s national police force to unionize.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which applied to represent the more than 1,000 employees, said the secret vote will be held between Jan. 22 and Feb. 4. The electronic voting will be conducted by the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board.

If successful, CUPE hopes to be at the bargaining table and negotiating the employees’ first contract by the spring, said Nathalie Stringer, assistant director of CUPE’s organizing and regional services.