Ontario correctional workers vote 89% to strike

Remaining 35,000 Ontario Public Service members ratify settlement.

Toronto (2 Feb. 2009) – Nearly 5,500 Ontario correctional facility workers, who supervise offenders across the province, have voted 89% to strike if necessary to win a fair contract.

Meanwhile, the remaining 35,000 Ontario Public Service (OPS) members represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union  (OPSEU/NUPGE) have ratified a proposed settlement containing a 7.75% wage increase over four years. The deal includes improvements in benefits and job security and gains for contract employees.

The main issue affecting correctional workers is a government plan to penalize correctional officers and youth workers for taking more than five sick days a year.

Bargaining chairperson Dave Kerr says he is pleased that his members have supported the bargaining team, and he is looking forward to returning to negotiations.

“This strong rejection should show the government that all of our members are not interested in an offer that punishes correctional officers and youth workers, even those not affected by it,” Kerr says.

“Probation and parole officers, along with bailiffs and non-uniform members in the institutions and in the community have all rejected this offer. We know we can work with the government to come to an acceptable agreement that addresses long-standing issues in corrections.”

Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU president, says that while he is pleased others have settled he fully backs the stand taken by the correctional workers and supports their decision to return to bargaining for a better proposal.

“The province showed a great deal of cooperation in getting the tentative agreements for all of our members outside of corrections,” Thomas adds. “Now they need to show the same resolve with our corrections members.”