You are here: Home > OPS > Ministry >June 18, 2003 LockTalk

August 7, 2003

Next step to fill classified positions begins

The next step to fill the Correctional Officer classified positions under the June 16, 2003 agreements has begun. All appointments to the classified service under this process will be retroactive to July 31, 2003. Issues arising around retroactivity will be discussed with the employer.

We understand that the results of the calculations for straight-time hours will be made available by the employer on an institution by institution basis beginning this week. It is also our understanding that as soon as the calculations are completed for each institution, they will be made available.

We also understand that most unclassified correctional officers (please see "note" below) who indicated an interest in being appointed to the classified service will receive:

a) The employer's calculation of their straight-time hours total for the purposes of their unclassified seniority.

b) The calculations showing a week by week tally for straight-time hours for their employment.

c) A dispute form.

If an unclassified correctional officer wishes to dispute the total straight-time hours that have been identified by the Employer, the individual will have five (5) business days to return the dispute form along with supporting documentation from the date the calculation information is made available.

Disputes will then be reviewed by the MERC Implementation Committee.

Note: The employer has indicated that the start date of some unclassified correctional officers and/or the Employer's calculations clearly demonstrate that some unclassified correctional officers do not have enough seniority to be appointed to the Classified Service under the June 16, 2003 MERC Agreement. The employer has informed the union that those individuals will receive a letter indicating that they will not be appointed to the classified service under this process.

Grievance decision clarifies leave of absences, strike and resignation issues with respect to Unclassified Seniority for June 16, 2003 Agreements

A decision issued July 17, 2003 by the Grievance Settlement Board clarifies the following issues:

• Which leaves of absences taken by unclassified correctional officers are credited toward their straight-time hours for the purposes of unclassified seniority for the June 16, 2003 Agreements.
• How those leaves must be calculated for the purposes of the Agreements.
• Which leave of absences are not credited toward straight-time hours for the purposes of unclassified seniority for the same Agreements.
• What straight-time hours credit unclassified correctional officers who were employed immediately prior to and after the strikes in 1996 and 2002 respectively will receive for those periods toward their unclassified seniority for the June 16, 2003 Agreements.

In addition, the arbitrator decided how a resignation impacts on an unclassified correctional officer's seniority.

For the complete decision, go to: http://www.opseu.org/ops/ministry/locktalk/unclassified1.pdf  

Unclassified protest at EMDC

The picketers gather!

(Left to Right) Dave Johnson, President Local 108, Moira Cowan, James Coull and Dave Graves.

On Monday, July 14, 2003, Local 108 (Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre) hosted an information picket to protest management's unfair practices and treatment towards our unclassified brothers and sisters.

Members from Local 108 were joined by representatives from Local 119 (Stratford Jail), Local 128 (Sarnia Jail), Local 252 (Niagara Detention Centre), Local 517 (Toronto West Detention Centre), as well as Dave Graves, Vice Chair of the MERC Team.

The protest called for a halt to the empty promises given to new Bellcairn recruits. They have been told that they will receive 40 hours a week and a full-time job within two years. There were also demands for a fair system for distribution of hours to eliminate favouritism.

Guest speakers included Liberal M.P.P. and Corrections Critic David Levac, and Elgin-Middlesex Liberal M.P.P. Steve Peters.

Thanks go to picket organizers David Johnson, Local 108 President and unclassified correctional officers and Stewards Moira Cowan and James Coull for all of their hard work making this day a success.

For more information, call Don Ford (ext. 442) at 1-800-268-7376 or (416) 443-8888.

e-mail: dford@opseu.org

Ontario Public Service Employees Union
100 Lesmill Road, Toronto, Ontario M3B 3P8
www.opseu.org

Original authorized for distribution by Leah Casselman, president.

Ontario Public Service Employees Union, 100 Lesmill Rd. Toronto, ON M3B 3P8  (416) 443-8888  www.opseu.org