Hard Copies of the new Collective Agreement has arrived and will be distributed in the next few days.
Local 135 would like to encourage your participation in a fundraiser for the people of Haiti. See Angelo or Rob for info. Thanks.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
MERC Update
Update…
January 6th, 2010
Greetings Division,
We hope you all had a good holiday season, as we all recognize that 2009 was a challenging year.
We want to provide a few updates:
As we have discussed at our 2009 all-president’s meetings, we are striving to enhance the professional image of our Correctional Services members with the public. These efforts are important in raising our profile as peace officers and correctional workers at large in this province. It will lead to better public support when we face everyday challenges and when we negotiate our contract.
We hope that the locals will look within their communities for programs and/or individuals that need our help. Some locals already donate time and money to charities and sporting organizations.
ASMPP
Although we have stated this clearly in previous communications, it is important to reiterate that OPSEU never agreed to the Attendance Support and Management Pilot Program. It was fully imposed by the employer. The Union has filed a policy grievance about ASMPP and that complaint is following typical processes.
There appears to be some confusion between ASMPP and The Joint Attendance Strategy and Implementation Committee (JASIC). JASIC is the committee that monitors the sick time numbers as indicated in the C.A. . See the December 23, 2009, Lock Talk for the JASIC Terms of Reference.
The union has already brought concerns forward regarding some of the numbers and the sites that are attached to them, as we do not see all things being equal when it comes to absenteeism. Some of our concern revolves around the H1N1 issue/period and how that would have affected our numbers in some cases.
Through this committee we are also looking for resources from management to assist our members in getting better, not penalize them for being ill, many times through no fault of their own but merely because of the working conditions they are subjected to.
CTO
The removal of CTO was a unilateral decision made by the employer and we are still actively pursuing a policy grievance on this matter as well.
SOME POSITIVE NEWS:
Our Regional ERCs are meeting in all four regions and we hope to see continued success at resolving issues with those forums.
We are working to have stage two hearings held every month at the local sites and have more grievances resolved there…rather than going to full arbitrations.
Management has agreed to waive the probationary period for all Fixed Term Employees who were recently classified under the Appendix COR9 – Letter of Understanding.
We will continue to pressure management to see that many of the recommendations that came out of the Security and Inmate Management Committee be moved on this year, such as the search dogs.
We have been making slow but steady progress with improving the labour relations at MERC and corporately. We will continue to do our best to improve the working conditions and safety for all our membership.
In Solidarity, Corrections Division
January 6th, 2010
Greetings Division,
We hope you all had a good holiday season, as we all recognize that 2009 was a challenging year.
We want to provide a few updates:
As we have discussed at our 2009 all-president’s meetings, we are striving to enhance the professional image of our Correctional Services members with the public. These efforts are important in raising our profile as peace officers and correctional workers at large in this province. It will lead to better public support when we face everyday challenges and when we negotiate our contract.
We hope that the locals will look within their communities for programs and/or individuals that need our help. Some locals already donate time and money to charities and sporting organizations.
ASMPP
Although we have stated this clearly in previous communications, it is important to reiterate that OPSEU never agreed to the Attendance Support and Management Pilot Program. It was fully imposed by the employer. The Union has filed a policy grievance about ASMPP and that complaint is following typical processes.
There appears to be some confusion between ASMPP and The Joint Attendance Strategy and Implementation Committee (JASIC). JASIC is the committee that monitors the sick time numbers as indicated in the C.A. . See the December 23, 2009, Lock Talk for the JASIC Terms of Reference.
The union has already brought concerns forward regarding some of the numbers and the sites that are attached to them, as we do not see all things being equal when it comes to absenteeism. Some of our concern revolves around the H1N1 issue/period and how that would have affected our numbers in some cases.
Through this committee we are also looking for resources from management to assist our members in getting better, not penalize them for being ill, many times through no fault of their own but merely because of the working conditions they are subjected to.
CTO
The removal of CTO was a unilateral decision made by the employer and we are still actively pursuing a policy grievance on this matter as well.
SOME POSITIVE NEWS:
Our Regional ERCs are meeting in all four regions and we hope to see continued success at resolving issues with those forums.
We are working to have stage two hearings held every month at the local sites and have more grievances resolved there…rather than going to full arbitrations.
Management has agreed to waive the probationary period for all Fixed Term Employees who were recently classified under the Appendix COR9 – Letter of Understanding.
We will continue to pressure management to see that many of the recommendations that came out of the Security and Inmate Management Committee be moved on this year, such as the search dogs.
We have been making slow but steady progress with improving the labour relations at MERC and corporately. We will continue to do our best to improve the working conditions and safety for all our membership.
In Solidarity, Corrections Division
Friday, December 11, 2009
Contact Info Please
All members are encouraged to send their updated contact info to the new LEC. Please send contact number and home email to the follow address:
windsor135@yahoo.ca
All information will be secure and only be used for union business should we need to contact you.
Thank you.
Randy
windsor135@yahoo.ca
All information will be secure and only be used for union business should we need to contact you.
Thank you.
Randy
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
ATTENDANCE SUPPORT AND MANAGEMENT PILOT PROGRAM
There has been some confusion regarding the new sick policy regarding its anniversary date. To clear up all confusion we have posted links to the actual policy. Have a read for yourself and feel free to direct any questions or comments to Rob, Randy or any other LEC member.
Click me for an introduction to the policy
Click me for the policy
click me for common questions and answers
Rob Schussler
Click me for an introduction to the policy
Click me for the policy
click me for common questions and answers
Rob Schussler
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
From MERC re: Arming Officers.
Dear Corrections Division,
We are asking the Corrections division to write the Minister either by snail mail or personal email (not work email) on your thoughts on inmate escorts, CCing Smokey, Brian Chauvin or Eddy Almeida, as well as your local MPP.
Ask Mr. Bartolucci to give the workers proper protection and training, not only for the workers themselves, but also to ensure that public safety is preserved.
In sol., Corrections
Premier Dalton McGuinty,
I am writing you this letter due to the situation that occurred on November 24, 2009 at Hamilton General Hospital. I will also be sending this to Mr. Bartolucci. As you may be aware two Correctional Officer’s that work for Hamilton Wentworth Detention Centre were held at gunpoint and assaulted while escorting an inmate to the hospital. This inmate had previous escape attempts and was in custody for pointing a loaded shotgun at a Toronto Police Officer. This resulted in a very dangerous inmate escaping custody and the general public being put in danger. The inmate still remains at large as I write this letter. Also the two Correctional Officer’s involved were not able to protect them self and are lucky to be alive.
I was looking online today at www.cp24.com and noticed Mr. Rick Bartolucci made the following comment to the media regarding the escape:
Province not ready to arm jail guards who escort inmates
“Community Safety Minister Rick Bartolucci says he doesn’t want more guns in situations like that. He says that could create other problems.”
“At this point in time, I would not be in favour of having jail guards carry guns,” Community Safety Minister Rick Bartolucci said outside the legislature Wednesday.
“They are in very, very close proximity to prisoners (and) carrying a gun brings about a whole other set of circumstances that may have to be dealt with.”
I have serious concerns and am very insulted in the Province of Ontario especially Mr. Bartolucci for not taking the lives of Correctional Officer’s serious. Also I would like to inform our Minister that we are Correctional Officers, NOT jail guards! Goes to show the amount of respect he has for us. I would also like to ask what experience does Mr. Bartolucci have in a jail? None that I know of, so how would he know about the dynamics when escorting an inmate? The Province has an obligation to protect its employees and the community. Correctional Officer’s are put in danger everyday and not given the proper equipment to do our jobs. Officers to this date are still not even issued handcuffs as part of the uniform equipment. One question I would like to ask is, why are armoured car drivers armed, yet us as Peace Officers in Ontario transporting dangerous offenders are not? We escort inmates who are murders, terrorists, gang members and escape risks everyday. Recently Border Guards were armed for their protection, yet we remain unarmed. Correctional Service Canada’s Officer’s are armed, but the Province of Ontario does not arm its Correctional Officer’s for community escorts such as hospital visits. Every inmate that is in a Federal Penitentiary came from a Provincial Institution, we have the exact same inmates as they house, yet we are left to stand alone when it comes to our safety. We also hold Federal inmates who are sent to our custody for court purposes. I know at the Toronto West Detention Centre, we have had escapes that could have been prevented and also have had Officer’s held at gunpoint. I am asking you to please consider this request to arm Correctional Officer’s in the Province of Ontario for the purpose of out of the institution escorts. It is for the safety of the Officer and the community. How can the Ministry be called “Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services” when they are obviously not concerned with safety at all? I hope to hear back from you in the near future.
Kyle Davis
Correctional Officer
Toronto West Detention Centre
Link to Ministers comments and story. CLICK HERE
We are asking the Corrections division to write the Minister either by snail mail or personal email (not work email) on your thoughts on inmate escorts, CCing Smokey, Brian Chauvin or Eddy Almeida, as well as your local MPP.
Ask Mr. Bartolucci to give the workers proper protection and training, not only for the workers themselves, but also to ensure that public safety is preserved.
In sol., Corrections
Premier Dalton McGuinty,
I am writing you this letter due to the situation that occurred on November 24, 2009 at Hamilton General Hospital. I will also be sending this to Mr. Bartolucci. As you may be aware two Correctional Officer’s that work for Hamilton Wentworth Detention Centre were held at gunpoint and assaulted while escorting an inmate to the hospital. This inmate had previous escape attempts and was in custody for pointing a loaded shotgun at a Toronto Police Officer. This resulted in a very dangerous inmate escaping custody and the general public being put in danger. The inmate still remains at large as I write this letter. Also the two Correctional Officer’s involved were not able to protect them self and are lucky to be alive.
I was looking online today at www.cp24.com and noticed Mr. Rick Bartolucci made the following comment to the media regarding the escape:
Province not ready to arm jail guards who escort inmates
“Community Safety Minister Rick Bartolucci says he doesn’t want more guns in situations like that. He says that could create other problems.”
“At this point in time, I would not be in favour of having jail guards carry guns,” Community Safety Minister Rick Bartolucci said outside the legislature Wednesday.
“They are in very, very close proximity to prisoners (and) carrying a gun brings about a whole other set of circumstances that may have to be dealt with.”
I have serious concerns and am very insulted in the Province of Ontario especially Mr. Bartolucci for not taking the lives of Correctional Officer’s serious. Also I would like to inform our Minister that we are Correctional Officers, NOT jail guards! Goes to show the amount of respect he has for us. I would also like to ask what experience does Mr. Bartolucci have in a jail? None that I know of, so how would he know about the dynamics when escorting an inmate? The Province has an obligation to protect its employees and the community. Correctional Officer’s are put in danger everyday and not given the proper equipment to do our jobs. Officers to this date are still not even issued handcuffs as part of the uniform equipment. One question I would like to ask is, why are armoured car drivers armed, yet us as Peace Officers in Ontario transporting dangerous offenders are not? We escort inmates who are murders, terrorists, gang members and escape risks everyday. Recently Border Guards were armed for their protection, yet we remain unarmed. Correctional Service Canada’s Officer’s are armed, but the Province of Ontario does not arm its Correctional Officer’s for community escorts such as hospital visits. Every inmate that is in a Federal Penitentiary came from a Provincial Institution, we have the exact same inmates as they house, yet we are left to stand alone when it comes to our safety. We also hold Federal inmates who are sent to our custody for court purposes. I know at the Toronto West Detention Centre, we have had escapes that could have been prevented and also have had Officer’s held at gunpoint. I am asking you to please consider this request to arm Correctional Officer’s in the Province of Ontario for the purpose of out of the institution escorts. It is for the safety of the Officer and the community. How can the Ministry be called “Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services” when they are obviously not concerned with safety at all? I hope to hear back from you in the near future.
Kyle Davis
Correctional Officer
Toronto West Detention Centre
Link to Ministers comments and story. CLICK HERE
From MERC
As many of you may or may not know, there continues to be numerous investigations occurring in the field around allegations of IT/internet abuse, resulting in workplace discrimination and harassment complaints, human rights violations, suspensions, criminal charges, resulting in grievances, mediation and other strains on labour relations, this continues to this day to be an issue.
The parties are working to mitigate the outstanding issues around alleged abuse and hope to have an agreement/process to allow all to move forward in a positive manner.
Thank you.
In Sol., eddy
Memo regarding internet usage: CLICK HERE
The parties are working to mitigate the outstanding issues around alleged abuse and hope to have an agreement/process to allow all to move forward in a positive manner.
Thank you.
In Sol., eddy
Memo regarding internet usage: CLICK HERE
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