The Factual Report on Corrections Negotiations

Issue 9 - November 8, 2001

“To win by strategy is no less the role of a general than to win by arms.” - Julius Caesar.

Essential service bargaining continues

Your bargaining team is hard at work negotiating the best Essential Services Agreement (ESA) possible. The following is an overview of what has already been completed.

• Protocol for Negotiation of an ESA
• Conditions for Essential Services and Collective Agreement Negotiations
• ESA for Trilcor
• Correctional Emergency Services Agreement
• ESA for Provincial Bailiffs
• ESA for Probation and Parole Officers
• Types and Level of Services Agreement for Probation and Parole
• Correctional Bargaining Unit Master Agreement for Essential Services

What still remains to be negotiated for Essential Services?

• Institutional Level of Service Agreement
• Site Agreements

This information will be sent out to all corrections locals upon completion of the remaining two issues.

“I am hopeful that the Essential Services will be completed soon so we can get into the meat and potatoes of our next Collective Agreement,” said Corrections Bargaining Team member Larry Cripps. “Meaningful bargaining for the priorities set by the Corrections Division is why we’re all here.”

Waste Watchers

Millbrook officers sent to Ottawa for training that can be done in their own backyard.

Correctional officers at the Millbrook Correctional Centre will be sent to Ottawa for “Community Escort Training” refresher courses.

There are approximately 30 officers being sent on the course. Expenses such as hotel rooms, food, mileage and travel time must be paid to each employee who attends this mandatory training. The trainers for this course are also from Millbrook C.C.

“This makes absolutely no sense. Why in the world would you send all these officers to a location 3-4 hours away when you could have held the training in the Millbrook area?” said Len Mason of the Corrections Bargaining Team. “This type of waste is total mismanagement of hard-earned tax-payer dollars. How can this decision be justified?”

An OPSEU T-shirt goes to the person who provided this information.

Corrections across Canada

Recently, the Correct View presented highlights from the new collective agreement for correctional employees in Alberta. This week we focus on highlights from the recent settlement between corrections members and the government of Manitoba.

Overtime language
Manitoba’s overtime policy really stands out. A correctional officer who works overtime as an extension of his or her regular shift is paid time-and-a-half. If an overtime shift occurs on a regular day off, he or she is paid double time.

The “muster” clause
“Muster” refers to the assembly of all correctional officers who are required to receive information prior to their shift.

All correctional officers who receive “muster” prior to the commencement of their shift receive 10 minutes straight time (per shift) as compensating time off.

Spotlight on your team

Jim Bothwell, Region 4

Thomas James Bothwell, known as Jim to his friends, is a 14-year veteran Correctional Officer. Jim started his career at Maplehurst Correctional Centre in 1987 and transferred to Quinte Detention Centre in 1990.

Jim comes from a working-class background. He was born and raised in Northern Ireland and witnessed union busting at its worst by the “Iron Lady,” former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Jim is a long time union activist and is currently president of Local 467 at Quinte. “I decided to run for the bargaining team because I wanted to represent the correctional members from my region,” Jim said. “A decent living wage is a top priority and I hope to achieve this.”

Jim enjoys fixing up old cars and recently re-built a 1984 Camaro Z28 from the ground up. He sold it and has set the cash aside in case of a strike or lockout.

“This government has never treated members of the Corrections Bargaining Unit with respect and dignity,” Jim said. “I believe that before this round of bargaining is over, the employer will be forced to recognize that we are a professional body and worthy adversaries. I have every confidence in the bargaining team elected by the membership. The team is strong and with your support we can achieve a strong collective agreement.”

Praise for Local 517

Management’s recent refusal to deal with issues involving violence in the workplace gave the bargaining team a first hand view on the importance of strong health and safety language in our next collective agreement.

We praise the members of Local 517 (Toronto West Detention Centre) who exercised their rights under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

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.