Strike news from your Corrections Bargaining Team
April 2, 2002
OPSEU files for contempt on the “Maplehurst 11”
OPSEU has filed a motion for contempt on 11 managers, including the superintendent, at the Maplehurst Complex.
OPSEU’s complaint alleges that the managers, under the direction of the superintendent, engaged in actions that are “tantamount to an unlawful lockout of essential service workers.” These actions consisted of suspending workers who raised health and safety concerns about the directions being given by management, refusing to
expeditiously investigate work refusals where the resolution was obvious and easy to accomplish, and inciting the inmates to rebel against essential services programs administered by the correctional officers in order to cause the officers to fear for their health and safety.
Named in the contempt motion are:
· Fred Williams, Superintendent
· Tom Jackson, Deputy Superintendent
· Shelly MacLeod, Deputy Superintendent
· Mark Parisotto, Deputy Superintendent
· Mike Haydar, Operational Manager
· Steve Thomas, Operational Manager
· Joe Janusz, Operational Manager
· Paul Larocque, Operational Manager
· Cynthia Harris, Operational Manager
· John Hosegrove, Operational Manager
· Tim Peddar, Operational Manager
In two of the situations outlined in the complaint, OPSEU alleges that managers allowed inmates to scream obscenities and threats at essential services correctional officers without taking any actions to curb the inmates’ behaviour.
In one instance, OM Hosegrove indicated to inmates that an essential services search team was the reason for the inmates being locked down, causing the inmates to yell obscenities at the officers. Hosegrove then smiled and shrugged, refusing to assert any control over the inmates.
In another instance, OPSEU alleges that OM Thomas incited the inmates in the segregation unit by telling the inmates that their meals were on the unit when in reality, the meals were not. OM Thomas then pointed to an essential services correctional officer and stated, “He is the reason you are not getting fed. Your meals are
on the unit, but he won’t do his f***ing job.” This action caused the inmates to kick and punch their cell doors, scream obscenities and threaten to kill the essential services workers.
Essential services officers were, in many cases, suspended when they initiated work refusals relating to these incidents.
Deputy Superintendents Jackson and MacLeod are accused of allowing inmates to chant “No blue shirts” at essential staff, as well as obscenities.
A hearing on this motion will take place at the Ontario Labour Relations Board on Apr. 3.
IMPORTANT! Send us the information!
Please send all pertinent information regarding significant local incidents, reprisal complaints, work refusals, illegal lockouts, and health and safety appeals, as well as discipline and/or suspensions, to both:
Sue Philpott
Koskie/Minsky - Barristers & Solicitors
Phone: (416) 977-8353 ext. 2104
Fax: (416) 204-2882
and:
The Corrections Bargaining Team
Fax: (416) 815-1412
ESA Questions & Answers
Attention members:
Please call the OPSEU Central Mob Room at 1-877-561-8692 with your questions around Essential Services Agreements and arbitrated awards. Your bargaining team is very busy strategizing and mobilizing the locals and are not always available at the bargaining centre.
Inquiries may be referred to other areas that can deal with specific issues around your questions.
Corrections team members
Region 1: Jack Hopkins, L. 122
Region 2: Barry Scanlon, L. 230 (chair)
Region 3: Larry Cripps, L. 309
Region 4: Jim Bothwell, L. 467
Region 5: Dave Graves, L. 521 (vice-chair)
Region 6: Rick Dagenais, L. 642
Region 7: Len Mason, L. 737
You can reach the bargaining team at (416) 815-0284 or by e-mail at correctionsteam@opseu.org.
The Burn Barrel will be available by fax, by e-mail, and on the OPSEU web site at www.opseu.org . To receive it directly, send your secure fax number to Lesley Williams at (416) 443-1762 or send your e-mail address to
lwilliams@opseu.org.
The Burn Barrel is authorized for distribution by Barry Scanlon, chair, Corrections Bargaining Team, and Leah Casselman, president.
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