FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 26, 2005
Superjail workers
reject final contract offer
PENETANGUISHENE –
Correctional officers employed at Canada’s only private
adult jail have rejected the employer’s final offer for a
new collective agreement. Members of the Ontario Public
Service Employees Union Local 369 voted 95 per cent to
reject the offer. Over 88 per cent of the employees turned
out for the vote, held July 21.
OPSEU President Leah
Casselman said she is proud that her members are taking such
a strong stand to ensure private sector correctional
officers get the same benefits as public sector officers.
“There should be no double
standards for correctional officers in this province,”
Casselman said. “It’s the same work, the same dangers, the
same stress and the same risks. An American company cannot
be allowed to make profits on the backs of Ontario workers.”
Currently, workers at the
facility run by Utah-based Management and Training
Corporation earn two per cent less per hour than their
public sector counterparts and receive fewer benefits and
less time off. Sean Wilson, chair of the union bargaining
team, says his members are united in this fight.
“The status quo is
unacceptable,” Wilson said. “We want the same as public
sector correctional officers -- period.”
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For further information:
Sean Wilson, (705)
321-9596 or (705) 835-2377
Terry Krulicki, OPSEU Staff Representative (705)
238-8080 or (705) 325-4457
