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August 3, 2001

Agreement reached on non-correctional positions  

In the May 9th edition of Lock Talk, we reported that an agreement had been reached on correctional officer positions at the Barrie Jail, Burtch C.C., Guelph C.C. and the Parry Sound Jail regarding the transfer to the Penetanguishene superjail. On Wed., Aug. 1, 2001, an agreement was signed by the Ministry Employee Relations Committee, regarding non-correctional officer classified employees across the ministry, and in particular, employees at the above four facilities. The following are some of the key aspects of the agreement: 

• Additional opportunities are created for senior non-correctional officer classified employees at the Barrie Jail, Burtch Correctional Centre, Guelph Correctional Centre and Parry Sound Jail to access Article 20 provisions of the Collective Agreement. 
• Opportunities to fill vacancies and alleviate staff shortages, ensuring operational responsibilities are maintained. 
• To minimize displacement (bumping), the same surplus date will be established for the Brantford Jail, Waterloo Detention Centre and Wellington Detention Centre. 
• An established process for staffing the dedicated and non-dedicated non-correctional officer classified positions at the Maplehurst Female Institution.
• An established process for the staffing of non-correctional officer classified positions at the Vanier Centre’s Interim Female Young Offender Unit. 
• An agreement to review conversion hours for non-correctional officer classified positions. 
• The parties agree to full and final settlement of union policy grievances (individual and group) regarding Articles 31.15 and 6 of the collective agreement. 

To ensure that all staff have the most up-to-date information concerning this agreement, a joint committee has been established to monitor the implementation of the agreement. This committee will provide staff with further information as it becomes available. 

We thank Straight Talk for providing this information. 

Settlement signed on vacation scheduling 

Back in September, 2000, the Ministry axed vacation schedules at facilities across the province. The Ministry plan was to implement a protocol that drastically reduced the number of correctional officers allowed to take vacation at specific times, and that plan was implemented in 2001. OPSEU grieved the Ministry plan, and a settlement has finally been reached. 

Under the terms of the settlement, the employer agrees that for the calendar year 2002, vacation scheduling practices that were in effect in each institution prior to January 1, 2001 are to be reinstated, and remain in effect until December 31, 2002. 

The employer and the union have agreed to discuss vacation scheduling during bargaining for the new collective agreement. 

Resolution watch 

This week, we get a big nod from a city that knows a little something about jails. The council of the City of Kingston has voiced their opposition to the privatization of correctional services. Kingston, along with the Township of Muskoka Lakes (southwest of Huntsville), brings the number of current and former municipalities who support public correctional services to 258. Congratulations to the Resolution Warrior, Len Mason of Local 737 (Thunder Bay Jail), for landing this big fish. 

Correction 

In last week’s Lock Talk, we reported that Mark Kotenan of Local 128 (Sarnia Jail) is the Region 1 contact on the Corrections bargaining team. Mark was elected to vice-chair of the Central bargaining team, and was replaced on the Corrections team by Jack Hopkins of Local 122 (Bluewater Youth Centre). 

We apologize to Jack for the error.

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