The Factual Report on Corrections Negotiations

Issue 22 - February 7, 2002

“Whatever is not forbidden is permitted.” -Friedrich von Schiller

Employer continues to ignore your bargaining team

Another week has gone by with the employer ignoring our demands.

On Monday, we were at the Ontario Labour Relations Board arguing our position on which issues belong at our table. For the remainder of this week the Team discussed demands and strategies about the issues, which you have mandated us to negotiate on your behalf.

A conciliator is scheduled to meet with the parties on Fri., Feb. 8.

Labour relations board hearing results

On February 04, 2002, a hearing was held at the Ontario Labour Relations Board concerning the dispute on which issues can be negotiated at the Corrections Bargaining Table. A decision has now been released.

Your Corrections Bargaining team had proposed improvements to the collective agreement on some issues formerly negotiated at the Central Table. Some of these issues were not disputed by the employer as issues that are negotiated at the Corrections table, so these items are now Corrections table items. This doesn’t mean that the employer has agreed with our position on these items - it just means that they are Corrections table items.

Now on the Corrections table for discussion/negotiation, in addition to the items that are currently in the Corrections part of the Collective Agreement, are:

· Training and Development;
· Corrections Bargaining Unit Work;
· Local and Ministry Negotiations including vacation scheduling, MERC agreements which include MERC, Occupational Health and Safety and other agreements;
· Unclassified employees - Wage Grid Movement; and
· Service Pay

The chair of the OLRB ruled that the following items are allocated to the Corrections Table:

· Hours of Work - Amending schedules and travel time;
· Hours of Work - Compressed Work Week Schedules;
· Meal Allowance - including meal rates; and
· Pyramiding

The Board also ruled that the Corrections table proposals on the following items are allocated to the Central Table:

· Autonomy (specifically a proposal that read, “The Employer and the Union agree that the Corrections Bargaining Unit has the right to bargain issues formerly designated as Central issues);
· Temporary Assignments (specifically a proposal relating to acting managers); and
· Unclassified other than Seasonal, Students and Go temps (specifically proposals to give unclassified employees seniority rights and provide for conversion after one year instead of two)

In response, the Corrections Team has forwarded these last three items to the Central table as demands for negotiation at that table. The Corrections Team will also amend their list of demands to comply with this decision.

This is an employer who has nothing but contempt for us and the work that we do. They have not responded to any proposals for six weeks and then forced us to go the Labour Relations Board on issues such as Hours of Work and Meal Allowance, items which have been on the Corrections table for the last two rounds of bargaining.

“I’m disgusted with this employer,” said Barry Scanlon, chair of the Corrections Bargaining Team. “We are going to make them listen and force them to negotiate with us.”

Pension issues, which by law are Central table items, may be discussed at the Corrections table by mutual agreement. That request has gone unanswered to date.

Don’t enter into local protocols!

Your Corrections Team is again reminding all local executives that all local and ministry negotiations are suspended. This includes any protocols to do with Essential Services, Picket Line Protocols, or protocols with local police.

The employer continues to treat all of us with disdain and contempt by not even responding to our demands at the bargaining table. Because the employer has refused to meet with the team, items and issues that need clarification prior to any protocol negotiations have not been addressed.

Stay tuned.

Members make their mark

This past Monday, members of the Corrections Category sported OPSEU tattoos as a show of support for their bargaining team. The team wants the members to know that the show of solidarity is appreciated and a strong indication of your willingness to do what it takes to get an “A” contract.

Members wore their tattoos proudly, and in many cases they were very creative where they placed them. From all the reports the event had the desired impact.

Info picket at Brookside a success

On Wed., Feb. 6 an information picket was held at Brookside Youth Centre in support of the Bargaining Teams. Guest speakers included OPSEU president Leah Casselman, Corrections Team chair Barry Scanlon and Region 3 Executive Board members Pauline Tapping and David Chew. A large crowd of correctional workers and media were in attendance, as well as Cobourg mayor Peter Delanty.

“The rally was a huge success,” said Dave Graves Correctional Bargaining Team Member. “You couldn’t have asked for better media coverage or member support.”

“On behalf of the Corrections Bargaining Team I want to thank Peter Harding, Tony Cunningham and all the members of Local 337 for their continued support,” added Barry Scanlon.

Run of bad luck in Region 6

On Wed., Feb. 06, members at Local 608 (Sault Ste. Marie Jail) had the misfortune of their washing machines breaking down, which resulted in them having to show up for work in their street clothes or partial uniforms. On the same day, members at Local 617 (Sudbury Jail) all accidentally spilled fluorescent orange dye on their boots, resulting in them all attending work with orange bootlaces.

“I cannot believe the show of support that the members in the north are showing the bargaining team,” said Rick Dagenais, Corrections Bargaining Team Member. “There is no doubt our members are ready to do whatever it takes.”

Len Mason, Corrections Bargaining Team Member, agrees. “The north is chomping at the bit, and ready to bite,” he said.

Benefit coverage Q&As

Essential/Emergency workers

Most members in the correctional bargaining unit are designated as essential/emergency workers at some point during a strike or lockout due to our two-week rotation of duties. For these workers, the collective agreement remains in force with the exception of Appendix 9 and 18.

OPSEU has a comprehensive Benefits Q & A . Please pay extra attention to points 58 to 63 from the Benefits Q&A.

Striking workers

For members not designated essential or emergency, or those who are on strike as part of the corrections rotation, OPSEU will be raising insured benefits issues with the employer as we have done in previous rounds of bargaining. As in the past, we expect that we will be successful. Details will be sent to you as soon as possible. Also, check the benefit Q&A on the OPSEU website.

We urge those members who have access to a computer to download and display this information for members who do not have computer access.

Our apologies

In the November 22 issue of The Correct View, we wrote a Waste Watchers item concerning the use of deerskin for young offenders’ arts and crafts programs.

We have since learned that the program in question is part of a Native Rehabilitation program. OPSEU fully supports these types of programs, and we apologize for any offence this article may have caused.

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

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.