The Factual Report on Corrections Negotiations

Issue 12 - November 29, 2001

“I’ve discovered that the less I say, the more rumours I start.” - Bobby Clarke

“Precariously” close to an ES agreement

Barring any hidden surprises by the employer, we are very close to the completion of the Essential Services agreement.

The Team has tabled a global package on the table that is precariously hanging by a thread. However, we are confident that we will achieve our goal of strong and clear language for our members in case of labour disruption.

Once all of the pieces come together and are signed off, all of the agreements will be made available to the local presidents. Stay tuned.

Members mobilize in Region 6

Sault Ste. Marie was the place to be on Thurs., Nov. 22, as the Sault Ste. Marie Area Council hosted an open general membership meeting, highlighting OPS bargaining. Nearly 90 members were in attendance and got a chance to hear from and ask questions of the guest speakers that included Len Mason and Rick Dagenais from the Corrections Bargaining Team.

Members drove five hours from the Monteith Correctional Complex in Timmins and three hours from the Sudbury Jail to participate in the meeting and support their brothers and sisters in the OPS.

Hats off to Joe Wright, president of Local 608 (Sault Ste. Marie Jail), members of Local 670 (Northern Treatment Center) and members of Local 601 (Sault Ste. Marie Probation and Parole) for their hard work in putting the meeting together.

“I am impressed with the solidarity in Region 6,” said Len Mason. “The members have said that they will do whatever it takes to get a good contract.”

The mobilizing campaign continued on Tues., Nov. 27 when members at the Sault Jail wore black armbands at work and tied black ribbon on the antennas of their vehicles. Rumor has it that other institutions in Region 6 will follow the lead.

“The members in this region are making a clear statement,” says Rick Dagenais. “The employer may not appreciate your efforts but your bargaining team sure does.”

Keep up the great work.

Corrections across Canada

This week, the Correct View looks at highlights from the British Columbia Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) collective agreement for correctional employees.

Job Security:
The employer agrees not to exercise its right to cause a layoff that results in the cessation of employment for a regular employee.

Severance:
a) Employees with less than 3 years service will receive two week’s pay for each year of service.

b) Employees with more than three years service receive three week’s current salary for each year of service to a maximum of twelve months current salary.

Cost of Living Allowance (COLA):
1 per cent for 1 per cent. Once the cost of living gets to 1 per cent, COLA kicks in and is matched. (i.e. cost of living is 3 per cent, COLA results in a wage increase of 3 per cent.) The B.C. government determines cost of living.

Spotlight on your team

Larry Cripps, Region 3

The elder statesman of the Corrections Bargaining Team, Larry Cripps started his career in the Ministry of Correctional Services in 1977 at the Lindsay Jail. In 1979, Larry moved to the Millbrook Correctional Centre to take a classified position.

While at Millbrook, Larry became president of Local 341 and was elected to the Corrections Bargaining Team for the 1988-89 and the 1990-91 contracts. He was an integral part of the team that achieved a 10.4 per cent wage increase for the corrections category. Larry transferred back to the Lindsay Jail in 1990 and has been active in Local 309 since. Larry was also a member of the Ministry Employee Relations Committee (MERC) from 1994 to 1996.

“I have always been involved behind the scenes in the Corrections Bargaining Unit,” Larry said. “I was encouraged by the fact that members in my region wanted me to run for the team this time around.”

What does Larry see as the biggest challenge in this round of bargaining? “Motivating and educating members who have been asked to sound the battle cry one too many times,” Larry said.

Larry enjoys refurnishing antique furniture, gardening and refurbishing houses. He is proud of his extensive hockey card collection, which includes his prized Bobby Orr rookie card.

Larry says that it is time for the province of Ontario to play catch up with the rest of the country. “Our category has lagged so far behind in the last 10 years in comparison to other correctional groups across Canada,” Larry said. “We have an excellent opportunity to achieve gains that have been long deserving in this category.”

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.