The Winnipeg Police Athletic Association (WPAA) became the Winnipeg Police Association (WPA) March 16, 1972 in advance of the Unicity amalgamation of 1974. At that time, all police associations in the Greater Winnipeg area became members of the newly minted WPA.

The WPA has grown and now represents over 1,400 police officers and approximately 450 civilian support staff. The WPA is the sole bargaining agent for all contractual matters with the City of Winnipeg and provides counsel and support to its members on a wide-range of issues.

The WPA employs two full time representatives – the President and Vice President – as well as an Executive Assistant who oversees in-house organizational matters. There are 11 police members and two staff members that complete the Association’s Board of Directors.

OUR HISTORY

In July of 1918, the original incarnation of the WPA was known as the Winnipeg City Policemen’s Federal Union. It was affiliated with the Trades & Labour Congress of Canada as local Charter #40.

Shortly afterwards, the new union’s membership voted overwhelmingly to join striking workers during Winnipeg’s 1919 General Strike. Though they ultimately remained on duty during the strike, their sympathies towards strikers was clearly evident by their lax conduct in maintaining law & order. The fall-out from these actions resulted in mass firings.

Not long after, these same Police Officers were re-hired to resume their policing duties. However, as a condition of employment, they were made to sign what became known as the ‘Slave Pact’. The Slave Pact prohibited union involvement.

In 1920, the Winnipeg Police Athletic Association (WPAA) was born giving police officers an organization with a focus on promoting athletics, amusements and activities for its members. The WPAA adhered to the conditions of the Slave Pact but over time began to exercise a degree of authority with regards to collective representation for its members.

On July 21, 1948 the WPAA received formal union certification as the bargaining agent for Winnipeg police officers.

The WPAA became the Winnipeg Police Association (WPA) March 16, 1972 in advance of the Unicity amalgamation of 1974. All police associations in the Greater Winnipeg area became members of the newly minted WPA.

The WPA has grown and now represents over 1,400 police officers and approximately 450 civilian support staff. The WPA is the sole bargaining agent for all contractual matters with the City of Winnipeg and provides counsel and support to its members on a wide-range of internal and employment issues.

The WPA employs two full time representatives – the President and Vice President – as well as an Executive Assistant who oversees in-house organizational matters. There are 11 police members and two staff members that complete the Association’s Board of Directors.

The WPA is affiliated with the Canadian & Manitoba Police Associations. In concert with those organizations, the WPA is involved in lobbying Provincial & Federal governments for positive changes in law & labour that not only effect the working environments of police officers, but also address the needs of safer communities.

ASSOCIATES