No stripe movement grows

Photo: CTV

The movement is spreading.

More and more RCMP are refusing to wear the distinctive yellow stripe on their pants as a form of protest of what they consider inadequate staffing levels and salaries.

“It’s an act of frustration for a number of years where the membership has not been treated as a police force by the Government of Canada,” said Brian Sauve with the National Police Federation.

RCMP officers are generally paid less than their municipal counterparts and unlike municipal police forces the RCMP is not unionized.

The so-called 'no stripe movement' began in the Lower Mainland and is starting to move inland.

The protest gained steam last week after the federal government announced retroactive raises of 1.25 per cent for 2015 and 2016 as well as a 2.3 market adjustment in effect next month. 

“That slap in the face … as it’s been called by numerous members across the country I think served as a wake-up call,” Sauve said.

More than half of the mounties from Coast to Coast have signed on to form a union.

- with files from CTV