FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 18, 2002
OPSEU “deeply disturbed” by erroneous government statements
TORONTO - The Ontario Public Service Employees Union and it members are expecting a retraction and apology from the Ontario government after erroneous statements were made by a government spokesperson to the press regarding a work refusal at Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre.
On Feb. 14, correctional staff in Hamilton refused work under the Occupational Health and Safety Act citing faulty cell door locks and dangerously overcrowded conditions. A settlement on the dispute was reached at the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) on Feb. 17.
“We are deeply disturbed by the erroneous information released by the Ontario government,” said Barry Scanlon, chair of the OPSEU Corrections Ministry Employee Relations Committee. “The Labour Board did not find that OPSEU or its members were engaged in any illegal activity.”
Scanlon said that given the nature of work performed by correctional officers, they have the utmost respect for the law. “To intimate that we were involved in an illegal activity is a grave insult to the reputations of our members and the union that represents them.”
Scanlon made it very clear that neither the OLRB nor the union agreed to have the employer engage in any disciplinary actions against correctional staff. In fact, the union has reserved the right to grieve any form of disciplinary action against its members.
“This settlement addresses several of the major health and safety concerns that caused our members to exercise their rights under the Occupational Health and Safety Act,” said Edward Almeida, president of Local 248 at Hamilton-Wentworth D.C. “Our union and our members are pleased to have come to an agreement that puts the safety of
correctional staff first.”
The statement being made by OPSEU today is in keeping with the agreement reached at the OLRB with respect to communications on this issue.
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For more information:
Barry Scanlon (416) 788-9190
Edward Almeida (905) 574-5943
