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| Other Issues Feb 4/00 |
Nov. 19, 1999 Superjail
goes private; Management discloses more cuts and chaos The province has reversed its position on the new "superjail" being built in Penetanguishene. At an "emergency" meeting Nov. 19, corrections management told your OPSEU employer relations team that private sector operators will bid to operate the facility. What does this mean? No displaced OPSEU members will be able to bump into the 400 jobs at the new facility. Although it is being built on the grounds of the Oak Ridge maximum-security facility for the criminally insane, there is no guarantee that any OPSEU member will work in the superjail. Management would not confirm or deny that the second one in Lindsay may also be privatized. They had "no information" on the future of Oak Ridge or the 10 additional jails rumoured to be on the chopping block. Rec programs axed Twenty recreational officers have been sent home with pay as a result of the elimination of all rec programming in detention centres and jails. Rec programs will continue in correctional centres and young offender facilities. However, management says programming will be eliminated for inmates with "shorter sentences." They say that volunteers won't be used to run programs. 9 to 9 As of April 1, 2000, correctional facilities will be placed on a 9 p.m.. to 9 a.m. lock-down schedule. Management says this will reduce overtime costs and allow for fewer staff on overnights. They have served notice to renegotiate compressed workweek agreements to correspond with the new schedule. Ask yourself: Is 9 to 9 better than 7 to 7? How will this affect your family life? The video remand system is to be expanded. Fewer inmates will be required to appear in court, which may result in eventual reduction in A&D staff. Cook'n'chill Management has announced that the privatized frozen dinner operation being built at Maplehurst facility will provide massive amounts of food for other facilities. This operation is scheduled to come on line next summer, with resulting impact on kitchen staff. More privatization plans
What's next? These measures put every correctional officer at risk, both in terms of health and safety and your job security. Privatization of the new jail will have a domino effect on your seniority and bumping rights. The 9-to-9 lock-down and changes to compressed workweek agreements will affect overtime and unclassified staffing. Help end this madness Your OPSEU ministry team believes these won't be the last measures to be taken. We expect more announcements of closures and more cost-cutting measure over the coming months. In coming days, OPSEU will be re-launching our public campaign against privatization, which got the public on side in both Penetang and Lindsay two years ago. We ask for your support internally in our facilities and externally in the affected communities. As a first step in our determination to end this madness, we are asking all members in corrections to immediately "withdraw your goodwill" and quit volunteering for extra duties. Details of further measures will be communicated in the near future. In solidarity, Your OPSEU ministry of corrections ERC team: Barry Scanlon, Chair: 519-766-9571 Authorized for distribution: Leah Casselman, President
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