The Factual Report on Corrections Negotiations

Issue 18 - January 10, 2002

“The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

Team remains firm on position

Your Corrections Bargaining Team is still waiting for the employer to change its position and agree to negotiate all the issues that were put forward by the corrections team. The team remains firm that we will negotiate the issues that are important to our members. The Corrections Team is demanding that items such as health and safety, early retirement and unclassified issues be moved from the Central table and be negotiated specifically for corrections.

“We will not be puppets to the employer’s agenda,” said Rick Dagenais, Corrections Bargaining Team member.

The only meeting between the parties this week was to give minor clarification to the employer on a few issues.

The bargaining team is advising all locals to put their local’s affairs in order and begin putting together their committees.

It’s time to make a stand

The employer has been presented a list of demands that we wish to bargain on your behalf. As usual, the employer is attempting to dictate what we can bargain at the correctional bargaining table on your behalf.

Your bargaining team is willing to take a very strong stand on these important issues. We are talking about pensions, health and safety issues, and rights for unclassified employees. Many locals have shown innovation incoming up with strategies to show management and the government that they are 100 per cent behind your bargaining team. We thank these locals for their support.

To those locals who have not yet joined in the protests, we encourage you to do so. To local executive committees, we respectfully request that you read the The Correct View, and to adopt or modify some of the strategies employed at other institutions.

We are all in this together. If we are strong and united, we can achieve our goals. Your participation is required and expected. We can no longer afford to sit back and let others do the dirty work. Everyone has to play a part.

It’s time to get ready!

Who says dinosaurs are extinct?

“I knew there was going to be another remake of the movie Jurassic Park,” said Larry Cripps, Corrections Bargaining Team member, “but I didn’t know that it was going to take place at the Millbrook Correctional Centre.”

Cripps was responding to actions taken by Millbrook Superintendent Bill Minion against Local 341 executive members Tim Hannah and Pete Wright. They were suspended last week for refusing to take off buttons showing support for the Corrections Bargaining Team.

“Most managers are taking a more enlightened approach when it comes to union members expressing support for their bargaining team,” said Cripps. “Unfortunately there are still some managers out there who still have the dinosaur mentality. The majority of managers are aware that gains made at the correctional table translate into gains for managers.”

Burn barrels appear

It didn’t take long for responses to the employer’s refusal to recognize all of our demands at the bargaining table.

On Sunday, Jan. 6, burn barrels mysteriously appeared in the vicinity of the Windsor Jail, complete with a supply of wood. Apparently management removed them the following day. There can be no doubt that the employer is aware of the symbolic message of displeasure and preparedness. Maybe the employer is stating that they don’t want a strike. We are still waiting for that message at the table.

Also, it is reported that barrels appeared in front of the Sarnia Jail, filled with some old signs. We also hear that black undershirts are in vogue on Tuesdays.

Waste Watchers

Cost without reason

A while back, Corrections Minister Rob Sampson vowed that all inmates serving intermittent sentences would serve their time in jail. As a result, there are many inmates incarcerated on weekends who could be on temporary absence passes. Another fine example of political posturing.

Rideau Correctional and Treatment Centre currently holds 200 inmates during the week. About 126 beds are kept free during the week to be utilized for intermittent sentenced inmates on the weekend.

Intermittent sentenced inmates are transferred to Rideau on the weekends from the Ottawa-Carleton D.C., Cornwall Jail, Millbrook C.C., Lindsay Jail, Whitby D.C. and Quinte D.C. That adds up to two trips per weekend from each institution. This transfer involves a minimum of two staff from each institution, and transportation costs. Often, escorting officers are working overtime.

The necessity of such mass movement of intermittent sentenced inmates clearly shows the following:

· transferring institutions are full beyond capacity

· costs in overtime and vehicle expenses mean nothing when it comes to delivering on a political promise

This proves fairly conclusively that our system is in disarray. Corrections Minister Rob Sampson is willing to incur many thousands of dollars at the expense of the Ontario taxpayer. Mr. Sampson preaches accountability. Perhaps he could explain this waste to taxpayers.

Our thanks go to the member who provided this information. A tee shirt will be provided to the member who came up with this example of needless waste.

Spotlight on your team

Brian Gould, Staff Negotiator, Corrections Bargaining Team

Brian Gould started his career as a public servant in 1972 working as a “chain man” on a survey crew with the Department of Highways. He was an OPSEU activist, and held the position of president at Local 536. Brian was also a member of the MTO Ministry Employee Relations Committee (MERC) during the 1980s.

Brian became an OPSEU Negotiator in January of 1990, and has negotiated for groups such as the Broader Public Service Medical Division, CAAT Support, Police College instructors. Brian has also been the Corrections Bargaining Team negotiator for the 1996, 1999 and now the 2002 round of bargaining.

Brian is a family man and enjoys drag racing, bungee jumping on quiet Sunday afternoons and is a practicing magician (Brian truly believes that he is invisible at times, even though everybody can really see him).

“Our biggest challenge is getting a decent deal at the bargaining table without having to go out on strike,” said Brian. “An important piece in the bargaining process is knowing that the members are behind the whole team, all the way!”

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.