“While we are always willing to negotiate as equals, the era of union busting, contract thrashing, and strike breaking is at an end. Today, we say that when you pick a fight with any of us, you pick a fight with all of us! And that when you push us, we will push back!” - AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka, Oct. 26, 1995

Corrections rallies attract media

Rallies and press conferences took place in four locations this week to raise public awareness for the current round of bargaining between Corrections and the Ontario government. The rallies in Thunder Bay, Napanee, Sudbury and Millbrook attracted a lot of media favorable to our members.

“We are here today to send a message to the people of Ontario: Correctional services in this province are teetering on the brink of disaster,” said Len Mason, Corrections Bargaining Team member, speaking to a crowded room of correctional workers and concerned citizens at a rally in Thunder Bay.

Corrections Bargaining Team Member Jim Bothwell spoke at an information picket at the Quinte Detention Centre in Napanee. He said, “We are trying to talk to the employer about improvements to health and safety, unclassified issues and early retirement provisions. The employer is refusing to talk to us!”

Over 80 members attended the rally in Sudbury, with representatives from every institution in the region taking part. “We haven’t even tabled a wage demand yet,” said Team member Rick Dagenais. “All the money in the world doesn’t do you any good if you aren’t alive at the end of your shift.”

The Millbrook rally was equally successful. “We are here to make our stand now,” said Team member Larry Cripps. “If we continue on the path we are on, it will only be a matter of time before blood is running down the corridors of our workplaces.”

Three more rallies are scheduled for next week in Toronto, London and Hamilton. The Hamilton demo takes place on Thurs. Jan 24 and the rest take place on Fri., Jan. 25. Call your Regional Bargaining representative for details.

Employer remains silent

The Corrections Bargaining Team has not met with the employer this week. We are ready and more than willing to meet, but the employer doesn’t want to talk.

“Management is showing the membership a total lack of respect by not addressing our issues,” said Len Mason, Corrections Bargaining Team member. “We are without a contract! Do they honestly think that our members are going to take this lying down?”

Your bargaining team is diligently working at mobilizing, organizing and strategizing as we work towards achieving a strong collective agreement.

Voice your concern!

Are you disgusted that the employer is refusing to talk about some central issues with the Corrections Bargaining Team?

If so, you may voice your concern to Mr. Douglas Gray (chief spokesperson for Kevin Wilson, Chief Negotiator for the employer). Mr. Gray’s e-mail address is: dkg@hicksmorley.com  . His fax number is (416) 362-9680.

Our fight is with the employer. Please do not address your concerns to the OPSEU Central Team Members.

The employer needs to realize that the way the Corrections Category negotiates has changed. Correctional issues must be dealt with at the Corrections table as we see fit. That is the bottom line!

OM16 grievance win rattles Ministry

The recent job competition held for management OM16 positions across the province was grieved by twenty-eight OM16s from a number of closing facilities. A hearing was held on September 13, 2001. Arbitrator Deborah Leighton released her decision on January 14, 2002. The decision reads:

“In conclusion, I find that the grievors (OM16 managers) were declared surplus when the minister announced the closing of their institutions. Thus they are entitled to the protections of the section 14 of Regulation 977. This permits them to seek suitable vacant positions and they therefore have first priority in filling those positions if they meet the conditions under the regulation. Thus I find that the job competition, in so far as it permitted non-OM16’s to apply and get positions in continuing or new facilities, was held contrary to the PSA and Regulations 977…”

We believe this to mean that, at a minimum, positions at non-closing facilities such as Maplehurst, Lindsay Complex, Cecil Facer etc. that were awarded to former bargaining unit members should now be offered to OM16s at all facilities that are slated to close.

The new question now is what happens to the newly appointed OM16s who would appear to no longer have jobs? Can they be put back into the bargaining unit by management? We are seeking a legal opinion on this. Does this impact on our bargaining unit members who are currently job threatened? No.

Stay tuned.

Say no local protocols - for now

Your bargaining team is again reminding all locals not to enter into any protocols regarding Essential Service Agreements with local management. Wait until you are given direction from the Team to do so. This includes any agreements on post coverage, draws and rotations.

The Team wants to ensure that all locals are on the same page when it comes time to negotiate local agreements.

Be careful with e-mail

The Corrections Team stresses to all members that you should not use the employer’s e-mail system to conduct union business, under any conditions. Remember, the employer continually monitors the system.

The employer owns its e-mail system and can read all employees’ e-mail at will. Therefore, the system is not secure and you can be disciplined for misuse.

Play it smart!

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.