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August 17, 2001

Minister supports investigations by phone

Corrections Minister Rob Sampson must have decided that toeing the party line was more important than protecting his front-line employees.

On June 18, OPSEU Corrections Ministry Employee Relations Committee chair Barry Scanlon sent an e-mail to the Minister, requesting that he oppose proposed changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act. These changes, which have since passed into law, allow labour inspectors to investigate health and safety work refusals by telephone without having to actually go to the worksite.

Scanlon asked Sampson to stand up for his employees. Here is Sampson’s reply dated July 27, one month after the amendments became law.

Dear Mr. Scanlon,

Thank you for your e-mail of June 18, 2001, regarding the proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The right of workers to refuse unsafe work, without fear of reprisal from the employer, will continue to be an essential provision of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and it is expected that inspectors will continue to investigate the majority of work refusals in person.

The proposed legislative amendment will help resolve work refusals more quickly by allowing inspectors to chose (sic) on their own to gather information and consult with the workplace parties remotely. I am confident that Ministry of Labour inspectors have the knowledge and professional judgment to use this new option in a way that will continue to protect the health, safety, and rights of correctional staff.

As you are aware, workplace safety legislation is the responsibility of the Ministry of Labour. I have therefore taken the liberty of sharing your correspondence with my colleague, the Honourable Chris Stockwell, Minister of Labour.

Again, thank you for writing.

Yours truly,

Rob Sampson, Minister

What is interesting is that Sampson states that he believes that the majority of refusals will still be investigated in person. If that is the case, then why the need for the new law? What Sampson is refusing to admit is that this law, combined with the shortage of labour inspectors, will result in a large number of refusals being “investigated” by telephone.

Bluntly speaking, this practice could cost someone his or her life. We guess that Sampson’s need to kiss up to Mike Harris takes precedent over that.

For campaign information, call Don Ford (ext. 442) or Pam Doig (ext. 687) at 1-800-268-7376 or (416) 443-8888.
e-mail: dford@opseu.org or pdoig@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