The gist of the letter is as follows:

… the Central team agrees that any issue the Corrections team wishes to raise in bargaining at its table has the full approval of the Central team. Moreover, we urge you to accept the Corrections’ team bargaining agenda whether or not it was formerly seen to be a central or bargaining unit issue.

… Accordingly, we would ask you to agree that the list of items proposed by the Corrections team be accepted for determination at that table regardless of subject matter.

I would appreciate a reply to this letter at your earliest convenience.

On Dec. 21, 2001, Gray responded. The letter was sent on letterhead from Hicks Morley, Barristers & Solicitors.

Dear Mr. Todd:

I have your letter dated December 20, 2001, which I received today. I will repeat the position expressed verbally at our meeting on the morning of December 20, 2001. It is the Employer’s position that the matters pursued by the Union at the Corrections Bargaining table that have heretofore been bargained centrally must continue to be bargained at the Central table.

I trust that this is responsive to your inquiry.

Yours very truly,
Douglas K. Gray

“We have put forth the position of our members and the employer has refused to acknowledge it. This is a classic example of the employer’s contempt and lack of respect for the Corrections category and it is totally unacceptable. The membership must respond.” - Jack Hopkins, Corrections Bargaining Team, Region 1.

“The employer simply doesn’t want to talk to us about health and safety, early retirement or unclassified issues. We all now must work together to get their attention and make them talk to us.” - Barry Scanlon, Chair, Corrections Bargaining Team, Region 2.

“Of all people, shame on Mr. Wilson to underestimate this group.” - Larry Cripps, Corrections Bargaining Team, Region 3.

“The days of the government dictating to correctional workers what they can and cannot negotiate are over. The government can kiss my hairy a**.” - Jim Bothwell, Corrections Bargaining Team, Region 4.

“This government has shown its contempt for the corrections division. Now it’s time for the corrections division to show its contempt for this government.” - Dave Graves, Vice-Chair, Corrections Bargaining Team, Region 5.

“The government’s position is B.S. They are forcing the members of the Corrections Category to take action.” - Rick Dagenais, Corrections Bargaining Team, Region 6.

“This response shows the arrogance of the employer. This is a strike issue if I’ve ever seen one. If it’s a fight they want, it’s a fight they’ll get.”- Len Mason, Corrections Bargaining Team, Region 7.

“This letter is nothing but a provocation designed to demoralize our members and test our resolve. I am certain that Gray and company will be intimidated by the measure of our resolve.” - Mark Kotanen, Vice-Chair, Central Bargaining Team, Corrections Representative.

“They are sending out a feeler to our membership to determine how bad we want our Corrections Team to negotiate our contract. I have no doubt that you will send that message back to this government, loud and clear.” - Darwin Lacelle, Central Team Member, Unclassified Representative

At the Brookside Youth Centre, staff positions have decreased by 9 per cent. At the same time, a fictitious management position has been added to look after the interests of a long time acting manager. The end result is a 10 per cent increase in managers.

Senior managers at Brookside have made an application for a full time scheduling officer. This is an attempt to keep the manager overage. The fictitious job consists of managing a living unit, which is currently under construction. The manager holding this position at present has no responsibility for staff or offenders. Nice work if you can get it.

The manager responsible for creating this position must have received their training at the Harry Potter School of Tricks and Chicanery (also know as Hogwarts). What are you going to do about this one Mr. Sampson?

Our thanks go to the member who provided this example of wasteful spending. A tee shirt will find its way to you.

Mark Kotanen is a well-known personality in Ontario Corrections circles. A longtime president at Local 128 (Sarnia Jail), Mark has served corrections provincially as the elected representative on the original Bargaining Unit Overhaul Team and is a three-time elected member on the Corrections Ministry Employee Relations Committee.

At Demand Setting 2001, Mark was elected as the Corrections representative for Region 1 and was then elected as the Corrections representative on the Central Team. He was then elected as Vice-Chair of the Central Team at the Central Bargaining Conference in April 2001.

“This round of bargaining addresses the viability of public services like Ontario Corrections,” says Mark. “We have to achieve a quality collective agreement and a decent living wage. That is the only way to retain our professional correctional officers and keep our recruitment process viable.”

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.