November22, 2000
Don’t
sign those election forms…yet
Members at the Barrie Jail, Parry Sound Jail, Burtch Correctional
Centre and Guelph Correctional Center who have received an "OPSEU
Employee Election Form" are being advised not to sign those forms
right away. The election form gives employees the option to either take
their severance package or go to the privatized Penetanguishene superjail.
The deadline for a response is 5 p.m. on Dec. 22, 2000.
It is OPSEU's position that the Ministry’s "Question and
Answer" document does not provide enough detailed information for
members to make an informed decision about their future. In fact, some of
the answers contained in the document conflict with OPSEU's position and
there are grievances presently at the Grievance Settlement Board (GSB)
which could affect these answers.
Here are just a few examples:
-
The Ministry states that members must have at least five (5) years
of continuous service in order to qualify for severance pay. A GSB
decision handed down two weeks ago in the Ministry of Health allows
severance for employees with one (1) to five (5) years of service.
-
The Ministry states that members who are out of the country for all
or part of the election period and cannot be served with notice are
deemed to be included in the RFP. OPSEU is already proceeding to
arbitration on this matter.
-
The Ministry states that employees who take their package will
receive continuation of their benefits for up to one year. This leads
one to believe that the employer will pick up that cost. In fact, the
employee must pay for the continuation of benefits.
OPSEU is filing a grievance tomorrow charging the employer for failing
to disclose the Ministry business plans. OPSEU will also hold a
preliminary meeting with the employer to discuss transition issues on
Friday, Nov. 24.
Barry Scanlon, chair of the OPSEU Corrections Ministry Employee
Relations Committee, cautions members to not be too hasty in signing their
careers away.
"There are still too many unanswered questions for members to have
the ability to make a sound decision," Scanlon said. "We want
every affected member to know exactly what they’re entitled to before
they sign on the dotted line."
IMPORTANT
It is imperative for members to realize that these forms MUST be signed
by the 5 p.m. Dec. 22 deadline, regardless of any action that OPSEU takes.
Members who do NOT return a form by the deadline will be automatically
included on the Request for Proposal (RFP) and could lose their chance to
receive an enhanced severance package.
"We are still fighting this," Scanlon said. "But we don’t
want anyone to miss an opportunity."
Members who sign an election form are advised to include the following
disclaimer above their signature: "Signed without prejudice to any
outstanding grievances."
OPSEU will be holding meetings with all affected locals prior to the 5
p.m. Dec. 22 deadline to inform members of their rights and entitlements.
RFP for Cook Chill operation coming soon
The Ministry has indicated that it will again seek a private operator
for the new cook chill facility located at the Maplehurst Complex. Members
working in food services at the Waterloo Detention Centre, Wellington
Detention Centre, Maplehurst Correctional Centre and the Vanier Centre
will be affected by this move.
As of right now, members have yet to receive notices and it is unknown
when those notices will be issued. It is also unknown how long those
members will have to decide whether to leave the Ministry or go with the
private employer.
We have requested the Ministry disclose this information as soon as
possible and will update you then.
For campaign information, call Don Ford (ext. 442) or Carol Whitehead
(ext. 356) at
1-800-268-7376 or (416) 443-8888. e-mail: dford@opseu.org
or cwhitehead@opseu.org
Ontario Public Service Employees Union
100 Lesmill Road, Toronto, Ontario M3B 3P8
www.opseu.org
opseu@opseu.org
Original authorized for distribution by Leah Casselman, president.
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