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July 20, 2001

P&P enforcing again
Member involvement the key

 A startling omission in the new probation and parole officer job description has been resolved thanks to the quick actions of those affected.

The new description left out a key component that would have made life extremely difficult for the officers. Specifically, the officers no longer had the ability to enforce the provisions of the probation or parole orders.

David Kerr, probation and parole representative of the OPSEU Corrections Ministry Employee Relations Committee, said that this omission was completely ludicrous.

“How could our members possibly do their jobs without the ability to enforce?” Kerr said. “It boggles the mind.” 

The issue was resolved recently thanks to the immediate reaction of the probation and parole officers themselves. 

“The members instantly notified me when the omission came to light,” Kerr said. “This problem was settled rapidly thanks to their involvement.
”That’s what unionism is all about. 

Wellington inmates on tour

Last week, we reported that inmates of the former Wellington Detention Centre were getting a tour of the province courtesy of the Ministry of Correctional Services. In their haste to close the facility, the Ministry relocated inmates from Wellington to jails in Hamilton, Stratford, Niagara, Owen Sound and Walkerton. 

Apparently, there was an omission to our story. It has been related that nine of those inmates actually wound up at the North Bay Jail. Hopefully that will give Mike Harris the opportunity to take a close look at his Common Sense Revolution at work. 

We apologize to the brilliant planners at the Ministry for our omission.

Resolution Watch

Despite last week’s tidal wave, resolutions are still rolling in.

This week, eight more municipalities have joined those who oppose the privatization of Ontario’s correctional system. They are: the Township of Brudenell, Lyndon and Raglan (south of Barry’s Bay), the Township of Madoc (east of Peterborough), the Township of Beckwith (near Ottawa), the Township of Alfred and Plantagenet (east of Ottawa), the Municipality of Meaford (east of Owen Sound), the Municipality of Grey Highlands (southeast of Owen Sound), the Municipality of Machin (east of Kenora) and the Municipality of Central Huron (southeast of Goderich). 

That brings the total number of current and former municipalities who support public correctional services to 248. Three guesses who’s responsible. Our thanks go to the Resolution Warrior, Len Mason of Local 737 (Thunder Bay Jail).

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