On Tuesday, July 18, in a settlement reached at the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB), the Ministry of Correctional Services has agreed to halt any plans for privatization of prisoner transportation for at least two years.

This settlement is the result of charges filed against the employer in December 1999. The union alleged that Ministry plans to privatize inmate transportation was retaliation because the union had been so successful in making equipment and training gains for escort officers.

As per the minutes of settlement, the Ministry agrees that offender transportation services will continue to be performed by "public servants who are members of OPSEU’s bargaining unit: corrections category." The parties also agreed that this settlement would not in any way prevent the union from initiating legal proceedings if the Ministry attempts to privatize inmate transportation after the two-year moratorium.

"We are glad that the government is listening to the union and to the members of the public who have expressed concerns on this issue," said Barry Scanlon, chair of OPSEU’s Corrections Ministry Employee Relations Committee (MERC). "At the very least, communities across Ontario will have two years protection by trained, professional public correctional officers."

Scanlon was encouraged by the two-year agreement, stating that the settlement was a bigger gain than what we may have received had the OLRB ruled on the issue. "An OLRB decision on a similar issue halted the privatization of Toronto waste services for only six months," he said.

Scanlon was also optimistic that the union would continue to have productive discussions with the Employer. "We welcome this positive mood by the Minister and hope that he continues his willingness to discuss alternatives to privatization."

Just in case Rob wasn’t listening the first time…

Owen Sound city council has re-affirmed its stance against the privatization of correctional services. On March 27, the city passed the anti-privatization resolution. On June 26, they passed it again.

In a letter to Corrections Minister Rob Sampson dated June 30, 2000 the council stated the following:

"In consideration of correspondence dated June 14, 2000 from the Liberal Caucus Solicitor General and Corrections Critic and correspondence dated February 29, 2000 from Robert F. Hagen, State Senator, 33^rd District to Premier Harris, City Council hereby reiterates its concerns respecting the privatization of correctional facilities."

We would suggest to Rob that he might not want to send one of his "happy letters" to the folks of Owen Sound.

On Thursday, July 13, Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty spent three hours talking to the members of Local 608 (Sault Ste. Marie Jail) and Local 670 (Northern Treatment Centre). When he was finished, he had none too kind words for the Harris government.

McGuinty told reporters that considering Sault Ste. Marie’s unemployment rate has recently hovered at around 20 per cent, the loss of 80 good-paying jobs is "catastrophic."

McGuinty accused Premier Harris as "abandoning the North," the Sault Star reported. McGuinty was appalled at the recently announced closure of the Sault Jail, stating "You lose 80 jobs in Ottawa or Toronto, and that’s easily absorbed." McGuinty also criticized the government for proposed plans to transfer sentenced Sault inmates as far away as Sudbury or Thunder Bay. "There is a direct relationship between access to your community and your family and recidivism rates," he said.

McGuinty used the recent water tragedy in Walkerton as an example of the Tory government’s callous attitude towards public safety.

We couldn’t agree more.

Unclassified members employed by the Ministry of Correctional services have been sending in their ballots to vote on whether or not they would like to enroll in a benefit plan. During that time some questions have cropped up, so here is a short Q&A.

No. The MERC team, in conjunction with local presidents and the Trust Fund, will determine a fair minimum level of hours per month worked (e.g., 15 hours, 20 hours) as the eligibility criteria to belong to the benefit plan. However, it is our objective that members below this minimum could still enroll in the benefit plan if they so wish.

No. All members will enroll in the plan without medical information and regardless of their health condition.

In order to provide a cost effective benefit plan for the Ministry of Corrections Unclassified Members it is necessary to have a large pool of people. If the Trust Fund allowed people to opt in and opt out at will, the Trust Fund will face what is known as "adverse selection". The only people that would enroll in the plan would be those that need to use it at that time, and they would leave the plan after they used the benefits they needed. This would drive up the costs of the benefit plan.

The benefit plan is to protect members and their dependents against future loss due to death, health or dental conditions. Having all members participate is the best way to deliver affordable protection.

The Trust fund will collect two months of premium from each member prior to his or her coverage becoming effective. This "bank" will be used to handle months where an employee may not work. Should you leave the Ministry of Corrections your two months worth of premium could be used to extend coverage.

If there is a YES vote, the Trust Fund will meet with the MERC team six months following the implementation of the benefit plan, and annually thereafter. The purpose of the meeting will be to update the MERC team on the financial status of the plan and solicit input for benefit issues (e.g. design, disability, etc.).