September 8, 2000
Sorry, Rob, no one is coming to play
OPSEU poll shows no experience heading to Penetang
Well this is a real shock.
An OPSEU poll conducted over the summer months has revealed that very
few experienced correctional officers are willing to work at a privatized
superjail.
The poll was taken at the five jails the Penetanguishene facility will
replace: Barrie Jail, Parry Sound Jail, Owen Sound Jail, Guelph
Correctional Centre and the Burtch Correctional Centre. These institutions
have been linked to Penetanguishene by the ministry and the staff would
have the first option to move to the new jail.
Except that most of those staff are telling Corrections Minister Rob
Sampson to shove it.
The poll consisted of two main questions: Will you go to
Penetanguishene if the superjail is privately operated? Will you go to
Penetanguishene if the superjail is publicly operated?
The results were predictable, but astounding nonetheless.
If the superjail is publicly operated, 175 staff said they were willing
to transfer. However, if a private operator takes over, only 24 staff said
they would go.
That’s 24 experienced staff in a facility that will hold 1,200
inmates, working alongside 276 staff that are new and have no experience.
“Our members are well aware of the inherent dangers of working in a
maximum-security facility,” said Barry Scanlon, chair of the OPSEU
Corrections Ministry Employee Relations Committee. “Hardly any of them
want to risk their lives in a jail run by a profit-driven corporation.
There are just too many opportunities for cutting corners which will
endanger lives.”
Sampson has touted to the citizens of Penetanguishene that he will
ensure experienced correctional officers work inside the facility to
enhance safety and security. The question now arises: Where exactly is
Sampson planning on getting these staff?
Scanlon is angered that Sampson thinks he can con staff into taking
additional risks for lower pay under a privatized scheme.
“I worry about the new staff who will walk into that superjail
without any experienced officers to guide them,” Scanlon said. “But
our members are saying ‘thanks, but no thanks’ to working for a
private company. Unfortunately, that will leave the town of
Penetanguishene with inexperienced staff dealing with 1,200 hardened
criminals. And the town will have Rob Sampson to thank for it.”
As if the town doesn’t already have enough to thank Sampson for.
Penetang council rips RFQ
Penetanguishene town council’s first official look at the Request for
Qualifications (RFQ) issued for potential superjail bidders resulted in a
four-hour meeting that left elected officials angry and bewildered.
Inaccuracies, half-truths and the omission of many council
recommendations plagued the 138-page document, and councillors wondered
why Corrections Minister Rob Sampson even bothered to ask for their input
in the first place.
“I don’t know where to even begin to list all the problems I have
with this thing,” said Councillor Randy Robbins.
Council has proceeded to draft a response to the Ministry outlining
their concerns, especially around the areas of staffing, inmate community
escorts, inmate releases and local supply purchases.
A copy of the RFQ is being mailed to all corrections presidents or
highest ranking officials.
Demo week packs a wallop
Guelph C.C.
Over 100 members and citizens gathered at the Guelph Correctional
Centre on Sept. 6 to hear Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty call for a
moratorium on jail closures.
McGuinty addressed the crowd along with OPSEU president Leah
Casselman.
Members from Local 233 at the jail were joined by representatives from
Local 230 (Waterloo D.C.), Local 234 (Maplehurst Complex), Local 582
(Toronto East D.C.), Local 521 (Mimico/TYAC), Local 248
(Hamilton-Wentworth D.C.), as well as MERC representatives David Kerr and
Barry Scanlon.
“I’m here to lend support to your fight,” McGuinty said. “This
province has no idea what they’re about to lose.”
McGuinty reminded the crowd that the province no longer inspects
elevators, amusement park rides, or meat. “Most people did not realize
that the government got out of the water testing business, until
Walkerton.”
President Casselman toured the facility with McGuinty and said
afterward that it was still not too late to save the facility from
closure. “This fight is far from over,” she said.
The organizers did an excellent job with special attention given to
their sign, “Help Expel TORY HOT AIR over Private Jails,” which
dropped to the ground after the hot air balloons exploded.
Rideau C.T.C.
NDP Corrections Critic Peter Kormos and OPSEU president Leah Casselman
were among the 100+ people on hand as Local 438 (Rideau C.T.C.) hosted
their anti-privatization demonstration on Sept. 7.
Doug Struthers, councillor for the township of
Merrickville-Wolford was
also there supporting the event which received a huge amount of local
media coverage, including the CBC and CTV.
OPSEU Executive Board members Bob Eaton and Smokey Thomas were in
attendance, along with members from Local 411 (Ottawa-Carleton D.C.),
Local 447 (Pembroke Jail), Local 440 (Brockville Jail), and Local 436 (Rideau
Regional Centre).
Kormos gave a fiery speech to the crowd, then toured the facility
afterwards with President Casselman.
Protest organizer Mary McKinnon wishes to thank all of the members for
their efforts at organizing the demo, especially those on Rideau’s Media
Committee. And we want to thank Mary for doing an exceptional job.
Ottawa-Carleton D.C. - Sept. 8
Watch next week’s Lock Talk for an update on this protest, which is
underway as we are going to press.
And three more make 90
The Resolution Warrior from Local 737 has spread his wings. Now, no
Ontario municipality is immune from his campaign. This week, the Town of
Brighton (near Trenton), the Township of Essa (near Barrie) and the Town
of Durham (south of Owen Sound) have added their names to the list of
public jail supporters. That now brings the total to 90. Who will be
number 100? Unknown, but whoever it is will likely be on the list because
of the amazing work of Len Mason from the Thunder Bay Jail.
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.
Return to top of page
