FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 28, 2002

Toronto West suspensions overturned by Labour Board

TORONTO - The Ontario Labour Relations Board has overturned the Ontario government’s decision to suspend without pay correctional officers at the Toronto West Detention Centre.

Correctional officers at the maximum-security facility were suspended en masse on Mar. 26. No reason was given to the officers for the suspensions.

Board Vice-Chair Brian McLean ruled that the suspensions were not directed at any individuals, but rather to the group as a whole. McLean has ordered the Ministry of Correctional Services to pay the officers for all missed shifts, including those scheduled up until Mar. 31. At the Ministry’s request, officers are not allowed to return until that time.

Barry Scanlon, chair of the OPSEU Corrections Bargaining Team, is pleased that his members have been vindicated.

“These illegal suspensions, which appear to have been condoned by Corrections Minister Rob Sampson, wasted tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars,” Scanlon said. “We are pleased that the Labour Relations Board saw through the wild allegations that Sampson was making in the media.”

Correctional officers will return to work at Toronto West at 10:45 p.m. on Sun., Mar. 31. At that time, unionized correctional officers will begin a search of the facility, followed by more searches on Mon., April 1.

A Board appointed Labour Relations Officer will be assigned to Toronto West on Apr. 1 to ensure that correctional officers are allowed to stay on the job.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Barry Scanlon, Chair, OPSEU Corrections Bargaining Team: 416/788-9190