“Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river.” - Nikita Khrushchev

List of demands being finalized

Since your bargaining team concluded the Essential Services negotiations we have been working hard putting together our list of demands. At this time, the finalized list has not yet been compiled.

The Crown Employees Collective Bargaining Act (CECBA) dictates what issues are bargained at what table (for example, pensions are a central issue as per CECBA). A motion passed at last years’ OPS all presidents meeting allows the Corrections Bargaining Team to give binding direction to the Central Team as to which issues should be moved to the Corrections bargaining table. The only catch is that the Central Team must convince the employer to bargain these issues at our table.

We will publish the list of demands as soon as possible.

Actors come through with info

The Corrections Bargaining Team would like to thank two acting managers who came through with information that will be helpful to the team. A complete Legal Strike Response Plan for one worksite, along with other documents indicating management plans to create regional pools of unclassified staff, arrived via “brown bag”.

Information like this is incredibly valuable in your team’s battle to get a fair contract. Please keep that information flowing.

Waste Watchers

Obviously, there was cost entailed in the purchase of these cups. One is compelled to ask, “Where did these cups go?” If you know the answer, please let us know.

Corrections bargaining team member Jim Bothwell gives his theory on the whereabouts of the mysterious mugs. “Perhaps they are being used at a chimps’ tea party somewhere, or at a cabinet meeting,” Jim said, “which amounts to the same thing.”

“Two” many deputies
Historically, the Sault Ste. Marie Jail has always been funded for only one Deputy Superintendent. For the past year, the jail has had two deputies at an additional cost of approximately $60,000 per year.

A 15-year corrections veteran, who has worked at the Sault Ste. Marie Jail his whole career, mentioned to management that the facility has never ever had two deputies. He was told that one deputy is in charge of operations and the other is in charge of administration. Regional Director Midge Ravensdale stated, “It is an operational decision.”

“This is another classic case of mismanagement,” said Len Mason of the Corrections Bargaining Team. “I work in an institution the same size and we only have one deputy. Is this a case of prudence, or incompetence? Maybe we can get the Minister to respond to this question.”

Our thanks go to the members who supplied us with details of these examples of waste within the ministry. Tee shirts will reach these members shortly.

Spotlight on your team

Rick Dagenais, Region 6

Rick Dagenais is the elected team member from Region 6 and the “rookie” of the Corrections Bargaining Team. Rick started his career in the ministry in 1990 at the Monteith Correctional Centre and is now the president of Local 642.

“I soundly believe in the corrections division. It’s the right time for us to make some gains,” Rick said. “Over the last few years, locals in my region have become stronger and more vocal. I hope to carry that strength into this round of bargaining.”

Rick comes from a big family and enjoys being around his seven sisters and one brother. He also enjoys snowmobiling, fishing and spending time at his camp. Rick is proud to be the founding member of the “Citizens Coalition to Save Monteith” and the Vice-Chair of the Northeast OPSEU Area Council. He is also an active member of the Timmins and District Labour Council.

“Pensions and unclassified issues are my top priorities,” Rick said. “Direction from my region is that these issues be negotiated at the Corrections table instead of the Central table.”

Rick has no doubts that the members of the corrections division will give the team their full support when called upon.

And in dealing with the employer’s rhetoric at the table, Rick’s motto is very simple: Show no mercy.

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 Correct View is your only accurate source of Corrections Team information during this round of bargaining. If you don’t read it here, you can't be sure it's true. Don’t rely on gossip and rumours. We will provide the facts.

The Correct View 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 Correct View is authorized for distribution by Barry Scanlon, chair, Corrections team, and Leah Casselman, president.