Corrections roars in Hamilton

Photos from the July 6 Hamilton demonstration. View the slideshow

It was déjà vu all over again.

Last month, corrections demonstrators shook the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services’ regional office in North Bay. This time, the ground tremors were felt in Hamilton.

Nearly 200 demonstrators gathered in front of the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre on a weather-perfect summer day to once again protest against health and safety reprisals by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Alongside the Hamilton members of Local 248 were corrections representatives from Niagara D.C., Stratford Jail, Elgin-Middlesex D.C., Toronto Jail, Maplehurst Complex, Central East C.C., Quinte D.C. and Brockville.

Last March, Hamilton police reported to the jail that a gun may be hidden in the institution. A high priority search for the weapon began, but members at HWDC then did a health and safety work refusal after the superintendent inexplicably downgraded the level of the search. Members now face a threat of disciplinary action for the refusal.

At the noon-hour rally, a lengthy list of speakers lined up at the microphone to show their support for the members at Hamilton. Among them: NDP MPPs Andrea Horwath and Peter Kormos; Don Fraser from the Hamilton District Labour Council; Canadian Labour Congress Secretary-Treasurer Hassan Yussuff; North Bay Jail President Mike Bisaillon; and Corrections MERC Chair Dan Sidsworth.

All the speakers expressed their disgust and outrage at the actions of the Corrections Ministry, and promised to support the Hamilton correctional officers in the days and weeks ahead.

“Absolutely unacceptable and inappropriate,” said Andrea Horwath in reference to management downgrading the risks involved in the search. “There are no ‘acceptable’ risks inside a place like this.”

Peter Kormos, never one to shy away from speaking his mind, said he stands at the side of those protecting public safety. “It is never wrong to fight for safe workplaces,” he said. “We will make sure your voices are heard at Queen’s Park.”

Both Don Fraser and Hassan Yussuff made the point that the right to refuse unsafe work is sacred. “At labour council meetings, we read off the names of those killed and injured on the job…we don’t want to add yours,” Fraser said. “However long it takes to win this fight, we will be there one day longer,” Yussuff added.

Local 248 President Steve Smith was proud to see so many supporters out for his members. “The only thing that management would talk about during the refusal was that they wouldn’t talk about it,” Smith said. “I would rather be organizing this protest than the funeral of one of my brothers or sisters.”

MERC Chair Dan Sidsworth thanked OPSEU President Smokey Thomas for his support and the support of OPSEU’s Executive Board, especially 1st Vice-President/Treasurer Patti Rout and the nine Board members who were able to come to the rally. “We can’t do this without you,” he said. “This Ministry is not listening. We’re ready to talk, but not if they don’t hear what we say.”

OPSEU President Smokey Thomas was the last speaker of the event, and he started with a quote he heard years ago from a friend. “It’s your health, your safety, and your life…don’t leave work without it.”

Thomas also wanted to remind the Ministry that the members at Hamilton have a long history of standing up for their rights. “You are no different than police or firefighters,” he said. “Every precaution is always taken when they are in a dangerous situation. It is the same thing here.”

Thomas also sent a message to the Minister, Monte Kwinter.

“These reprisals must stop now,” he said. “We will talk to you, but not while you are threatening our members. If not, then it is going to be a long, hot summer for you, and it will continue right up until the Oct. 10 election.”

Plans for the next rally in early August are in the works. Stay tuned for further details.

 

For more information, call Don Ford (ext. 7442) at 1-800-268-7376 or (416) 443-8888. e-mail: dford@opseu.org

Original authorized for distribution by Warren (Smokey) Thomas, president.