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Listen to the Broadcast of Orson Welles' War of the Worlds probably more appropriate here....

UNION REPRESENTATION

It Needs Fixing

The following needs your attention

To All Corrections Category Members
The Time For Change is NOW!!

There has been much talk throughout Corrections in the past and present about the poor representation received from OPSEU. We have seen many signs of misleading representation for years. The current contract and its negotiations in no way represented the needs or interests of the Corrections Category. It was a well-known fact that the majority of OPSEU did not want to strike and that many OPSEU leaders were looking for re-election without the negatives that a strike would bring. The 'Lock Talk' was the final last-ditch effort of OPSEU Centrally to give misleading negative information to the Corrections Unit with the hope of achieving a yes-vote. It seemed very strange that the employer was issuing this Union document to its employees. With complete information of the risks and possible gains a no-vote may achieve, we managed to get a vote of over 80% NO to the Corrections Category offer at Brookside Youth Centre. It was unfortunate that the whole picture was not available to all Locals before the vote was held. The majority of OPSEU got what they wanted - Little gain but no strike. Corrections was yet again a bargaining tool - not a bargaining issue! There is no reason to talk about the past anymore. What is done is done, but we do need to look to the future. The time for talk is over. It is now time for action.
Corrections wants and deserves: early retirement, better wages, real job security language, casual rights and benefits, factor 75 for Correctional Officers, effective and related representation, and more. The only way to have a legitimate chance of true Collective Bargaining is for Corrections to become autonomous.
There are a few different approaches, which can be taken towards obtaining a unique and distinctive Collective Agreement for Corrections. Through my own research, I recommend forming a distinct labour body within OPSEU similar to the CAAT. There would be a great deal of work to be done to achieve this goal but the time is right. The government would need to change the Crown Employees Collective Bargaining Act (CECBA) and place our category in Sec 1.1(3) from our current status. I believe this, or any, Government would complete the necessary legislation once they realized the effect such a move would have on future negotiations with the remaining 4,400 OPSEU workers. The New Corrections would also have to have its own infrastructure, which could be fashioned similar to the CAAT. Money (dues, etc.) will have to be investigated. Votes will have to be held. Individual job categories will have to decide if this move is right for them. Everything must be fully researched and developed before we can make a valid attempt to become autonomous.
STEP #1
What we need now is the commitment of you, the representatives of the Correctional Workers, towards the creation of a New Corrections. Do we all agree that change is needed and needs to start now?
STEP#2
With this commitment we will need to have complete and open lines of communication. Nothing can be changed without the full support of all people and information will be the key. I will hope that every person in this room will contact me by phone, e-mail, fax, or snail mail with their contact information.
STEP#3
A committee will need to be formed to research and correlate all information for presentation to the all members. I would like to suggest a committee of 6 people whom will then meet and decide the individual roles.
STEP#4
Once the complete process is mapped out, a formal vote will need to take place based on the committees findings.
STEP#5
Election of Officers and the formal transition into the New Autonomous Corrections. This will be a lengthy and involved process but I believe the end result would be worth the effort.
Peter Harding
Secretary, Local 337
Brookside Youth Centre, Cobourg
Work Phone: 905-372-5451
Fax/Phone: 905-372-4099
E-mail: seifried.k@sympatico.ca
Address: 878 Westwood Cres., Cobourg, Ont. K9A 5B4

E-MAIL ME

Apr 18/99...........A second thought from Peter:

I have sent the attached file to Barry Scanlon for his consideration. If you can not open this Microsoft Word format document, let me know and I can fax it to you. I would like to thank Brian Gould for his assistance with this idea.
Remember, there are many different avenues to be explored. This format is only one of them for your consideration.
Peter Harding, Local 337

To: Barry Scanlon & the Corrections MERC Team
Re: One of many possible formats for your consideration.
From: Peter Harding, Local 337 - seifried.k@sympatico.ca - fax/phone: 905-372-4099
Autonomous Corrections.......... How can the change be made?

One method of creating an Autonomous Corrections, which has it's own complete Collective Agreement, requires very little work or change. Under this proposal, Corrections would no longer bargain under the Central Agreement. Corrections would remain as part of OPSEU with no other changes.
The only similarity in the Collective Agreements of the OPS and Corrections will be that they will be, CECBA 27.(1) … "effective on the same date and for a term of the same duration.". This would effect cost savings for votes, general meetings, bargaining teams, etc. This item could also be changed to exclude Corrections but I believe that the costs outweigh any unseen benefit.
Such an agreement gives the Corrections Bargaining Unit the sole ability to bargain for changes in the items listed in Sec.25.(1) (below). No longer would the majority of the OPS be able to dictate these items to Corrections. This does include Pensions, although early retirement costs would be borne solely by those affected. Corrections pensions would also remain in OPSEU Trust. Unclassified rights, etc., grievance procedures, benefits, job security, etc., would all become Corrections issues bargained for and by Corrections. There should be no increase of Union dues to affect this change in bargaining.
If this proposal is accepted by the Corrections membership, The Executive Board of OPSEU and the Government of Ontario would need to be convinced of the merits and be forced to accept and create the necessary changes.
Crown Employees Collective Bargaining Act (CECBA)
The following sections from CEBCA will need to be amended/added as follows:
Current: Sec.25.(1) One collective agreement shall govern the following terms and conditions of employment of the employees in the designated bargaining units:
1. Dispute resolution procedures.
2. Prohibitions against discrimination.
3. Employment security and mobility.
4. Pensions.
5. Long term disability insurance plans.
6. Benefits to which all employees in the designated bargaining units are entitled.
7. With the consent of the parties, wages.
8. Such other matters as the parties may agree upon.
Amend to read:
Sec.25.(1) One collective agreement shall govern the following terms and conditions of employment of employees in the designated bargaining units excluding the Correctional Bargaining Unit: …
Add:
Sec.25.(1)(1) The Corrections Bargaining Unit will bargain all terms and conditions of employment as a separate and unique Bargaining Unit.
Current:
28.(2) Paragraphs 2 and 3 of subsection (1) do not include employees in a designated bargaining unit for which a collective agreement under section 25 or 26, as the case may be, has been settled.
Amend to read:
28.(2) Paragraphs 2 and 3 of subsection (1) do not include:
1. Employees in a designated bargaining unit for which a collective agreement under section 25 or 26, as the case may be, has been settled.
2. Employees of the Corrections Bargaining Unit
Current:
28.(4) Paragraphs 2 and 3 of subsection(3) do not include employees in a designated bargaining unit which a collective agreement under section 25 or 26, as the case may be, has been settled.
Amend to read:
28.(4) Paragraphs 2 and 3 of subsection (1) do not include:
1. Employees in a designated bargaining unit for which a collective agreement under section 25 or 26, as the case may be, has been settled. Employees of the Corrections Bargaining Unit.



FOLLOWUP.......


My previous mailing was about Sec.25 CECBA amendments to achieve autonomous bargaining for Corrections. This is just a reminder that this is not the only possible route for Corrections to take. This is intended only as another option to explore.
Corrections could also have itself removed from CECBA (Sec.1) altogether and then have a Correctional Employees Collective Bargaining Agreement Act created. This move would make Corrections very similar to CAAT. This move would also take allot of work, time and money. A new bureaucracy would have to be created as well. But- All possible avenues for change need to be researched before action is taken.
It was my original message to become 'CAAT like' but, at this time, I believe the same goals can be achieved through the Sec. 25 amendments, etc. It appears, so far, that these amendments would be very cost effective and would eliminate the need for more bureaucracy in OPSEU and Corrections. The amendments would keep us within OPSEU but out of the OPS Bargaining Unit. Such amendments would allow Corrections the ability to bargain for all terms and conditions of future contracts without the out weighted vote of the other 6 OPS Categories. We could affect change to Pensions, grievance procedure, wages, Unclassified issues, etc. related solely to employees in the Corrections Category. Yes, Corrections includes all job classifications in the Corrections Category and not just COs. I believe that Recreation Officers, Probation Officers, etc. would all receive improved representation in an Autonomous Corrections.
There may be other ideas come forth related to an Autonomous Corrections. In the end, all ideas must be looked at. The best idea will then be brought to all members for a vote. Keep an open mind and consider all options. Lets create the best Autonomous Corrections possible.

Another post

April 19/99............ Peter and Karen:
We are receiving and reading your e-mail with great interest, one question though. When we viewed some of the web sites you mentioned in one of your previous messages we read some articles that were speaking of decertification of corrections as opposed to your path of autonomous corrections. Our question is, are we going to be going into the fight for autonomous corrections split over this issue or are the members pushing decertification going to support the autonomous corrections direction? We believe that if we go after the issue divided, neither will happen! Have you contacted any of the group calling for decertification and got their opinion on where they may stand on these issues. We believe that your proposal is the better choice, but if your going to call for a vote you better try to get everybody you can on side.
R Gagne.... Local 718


Response:
I realize that there are a few members who have given up on OPSEU all together. The sites you looked at do not support decertification but are forums that have different opinions posted. On these sites, there are different opinions as to the means to affect change. The COAO, as I see it, is set for change but has yet to decide which direction they wish to proceed. I have Mr. Roberts on the e-mail list and hope that he mirrors my thoughts on his web site. I have also sent in my application to the COAO so I can see the direction they will be proceeding and have my views heard. Anybody interested in the same should join the group and attend one of the upcoming meetings. There will always be some dissenters towards every action but again, accurate and timely information and communication is key. Once we (Autonomous Corrections) have chosen the specific path to be used and to stay within OPSEU, the facts, figures, etc. will need to be presented at Local General Membership Meetings. I would hope that we can convince people that the best route is to get out of the Central OPS but stay within OPSEU. OPSEU would then be the back-bone and support of Corrections as it is for the BPS and CAAT who achieve their own contracts.

There's the story - your move !

E-MAIL Peter with your opinion


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