Thousands of RCMP members across the country will soon be getting a pay raise.

A federal arbitration board has awarded an eight per cent increase over two years.

It includes a four per cent increase retroactive to April 2023 and another four per cent as of April 1, 2024.

The increase will apply to around 20,000 members represented by the National Police Federation.

Included are regular members, special constables, and reservists below the rank of inspector.

The first collective agreement expired on March 31, 2023. Mediation took place between Dec. 2023 and Feb. 2024.

William Kaplan, chair of the arbitration board, noted that the two sides had managed to resolve most issues in dispute, adding the bargaining relationship is “positive and collaborative.”