LockTalk is back! For those of you that don’t know, LockTalk is the official newsletter for the OPS Correctional Bargaining Unit. Look for regular editions of LockTalk as the bargaining process moves forward. This is the only official source of information that the Bargaining Team will use.
Click here to download the PDF.
Message from the President and First Vice-President/Treasurer:
Bargaining in challenging times
Greetings!
As your Bargaining Team starts to get down to work, welcome to the first issue of this round’s edition of LockTalk.
OPSEU/SEFPO’s Corrections members have never been shy with their demands – both with their employer and with their union. And your strong voice has paid off. You’ve achieved some key victories, and we know that your new Bargaining Team is committed to earning even more improvements.
As always, they’ll need your strength and solidarity to do it. Especially this round: the government’s wage-cap law – Bill 124 – brings additional challenges. OPSEU/SEFPO filed a Charter Challenge on March 16, 2020.
But by standing strong together – filling out your bargaining surveys and keeping on the latest from the table – we have no doubt your bargaining team will continue to build on all the hard-fought victories Corrections
workers have won.
In solidarity,
Warren (Smokey) Thomas
President, OPSEU/SEFPO
Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida
First Vice-President/Treasurer, OPSEU/SEFPO
From the Bargaining Team
Your bargaining team met for the first time the week of September 13, 2021, for virtual training.
We are working on many issues and expect to continue this process for many weeks. Those issues include:
Bill 124 and an exemption request, review of members’ bargaining priorities, receiving submissions from departments, such as Pension/Benefits and Grievance Departments.
A future LockTalk will outline Bill 124 implications and the steps we will be taking, as well as the challenges this legislation will have on this round of bargaining.
The 13 elected members are working well together and are committed to achieving strong gains in our collective agreement. We look forward to your support and solidarity as we move through this process.
Members should be aware that bargaining team members cannot individually respond to any bargaining-related queries on any platform.
Feel free to contact the bargaining team at CorrectionsOPSBargaining@opseu.org. Your Bargaining Team will endeavour to respond to all queries in a timely manner.
In solidarity,
Your Correctional Bargaining Team
Your bargaining team
Peter Harding – Youth Services Officer Representative and Bargaining Team Chair – Cecil Facer Youth Centre
- Started as a Correctional Officer in 1989 at the Brookside Youth Centre, then moved to Youth Services Officer. Previous Bargaining Team Member. Currently the BMERC Co-Chair and MCCSS YJ MERC Co-Chair.
Janet Laverty – Correctional Officer Representative and Bargaining Team Vice-Chair – Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre
- Started as a Youth Services Officer in 1997 at the Bluewater Youth Centre. Transferred to the Adult system in 1998 as a Correctional Officer at the Stratford Jail, Walkerton Jail and currently at the Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre. Currently the SolGen MERC Vice-Chair and Local President EMDC.
Michelle Canning – Multi-Category Representative – Central East Correctional Centre
- Started as a Correctional Officer in 1992 at the Peterborough Jail, Millbrook Correctional Centre and Central East Correctional Centre, prior to becoming a Rehabilitation Officer in 2013. Currently a Steward at CECC.
Adam Cygler – Corrections Institutional Health Care Representative – Ontario Correctional Institute
- Started as a Social Worker in 2008 at Central North Correctional Centre, before transferring to OCI in 2013 as a Social Work Supervisor. Currently the SolGen MERC Multi-Category Member and Local Secretary at OCI.
Richard Dionne – Correctional Officer Representative – Central North Correctional Centre
- Started as a Correctional Officer in 2007 at the Monteith Correctional Complex, before transferring to CNCC. Currently the Local President at CNCC.
Sean Dunn – Member-at-Large Representative – Central East Correctional Centre
- Started as a Correctional Officer in 2001 at the Millbrook Correctional Centre, before transferring to CECC in 2003. Currently the Local President at CECC.
Zach Fildey – Fixed-term Members Representative – Maplehurst Correctional Complex
- Started as a Correctional Officer in 2017 at MHCC. Currently a Steward at MHCC.
Carol Frost – Corrections Unified (ADM/OAD/OPM/TEC) Representative – Kenora Jail
- Started as a Records Clerk in 2009, prior to becoming the Offender Records Supervisor in 2021. Currently the Local Secretary at the Kenora Jail.
Scott McIntyre – Probation and Parole Officer Representative – North Bay P&P
- Started as a Correctional Officer in 1990 at the Mimico Correctional Centre, prior to becoming a Probation and Parole Officer in 1993. Previous Bargaining Team Member. Currently the SolGen MERC Probation and Parole Member and Vice-President of Local 633.
Josh Miller – Correctional Officer Representative – Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre
- Started as a Correctional Officer in 1997 at the Thunder Bay Jail, before transferring to ATRC in 2007. Currently the Local President of ATRC.
Denise Sidsworth – Probation and Parole Officer or Probation Officer Representative – Brampton Probation and Parole
- Started at as a Correctional Officer in 1999 at the Maplehurst Correctional Complex, prior to becoming a Probation and Parole Officer in 2003. Currently the Probation and Parole Provincial Health and Safety Representative and President of Local 263.
Johanna Sinclair – Probation Officer Representative – Newmarket Youth Justice.
- Started as a Probation Officer in 2005. Currently YJ CISM Lead, MCCSS YJ MERC Probation Member and President of Local 314.
Todd Snider – Correctional Officer Representative – Stratford Jail
- Started as a Correctional Officer in 1989 at the Barrie Jail, Waterloo Detention Centre, Brantford Jail and currently at the Stratford Jail. Currently the Local President at Stratford Jail.
Glenna Caldwell – OPSEU/SEFPO Staff – OPS Negotiations
- Spent 33 years in the Corrections Division and was a member of the Bargaining Team for five rounds of negotiations.
If you have any questions, please forward them to your MERC Bargaining Team at CorrectionsOPSBargaining@opseu.org.
Corrections Bargaining Unit Categories
Here are the Correctional Bargaining Unit categories that correspond to classifications within our collective agreement. This will help you identify who is the specific elected Bargaining Team Representative for your category.
COR Institutional and Health Care Category
- Dental Assistant
- Dental Assistant A
- Dental Hygienist
- Psychometrist 1-2
- Psychologist 1-3
- Social Worker 1-2
- Social Work Supervisor 1-2 (BU)
- Registered Practical Nurse 1-4
- Pharmacy Technician 1-2
- Pharmacist – Staff
- Laundry Worker 1-5
- General Nurse 1-3
- Mental Health Nurse
- Public Health Nurse 1-2
- Nurse Practitioner
- Cook 1-3 (BU)
- Food Service Helper
- Hospital Housekeeper 1-2 (BU)
- Chaplain 15, 16
- Pharmacy 16, 17
- Social Work 17, 18
- Food Services (10 OFS – 14 OFS)
COR (ADM, OAD, OMP/TEC) Category
- Library Technician 1-4
- Volunteer Services Assistant
- Volunteer Services Organizer
- Motor Vehicle Operator 1-2
- Building Systems Operator
- Security Officer 1-4
- General Administration 13, 14, 15
- Financial Administration 14, 18
- Social Program 16, 18, 19
- Personal Administration 17
- Program Analysis 17, 18, 19
- Purchasing and Supply 17
- Cleaner 1-3
- Supply Clerk 1-7
- Facilities Mechanic/Facilities Technician 1-3A
- Maintenance Carpenter
- Maintenance Carpenter, Foreman/Woman
- Maintenance Carpenter/Inspector
- Maintenance Electrician
- Maintenance Electrician, Foreman/Woman
- Maintenance Electrician/Contract Inspector
- Facilities Mechanic/Facilities Technician, Foreman/Woman
- Maintenance Plumber
- Maintenance Plumber, Foreman/Woman
- Maintenance Welder
- Office Administration 1-13
Multi-Other Category
- Oak Ridge Attendant 1-4
- Cannery Supply Officer
- Cannery Supply Officer, Group Leader
- City Crew Officer
- Correctional Locksmith
- Grounds/Maintenance Worker
- Hairdresser Instructor
- Industrial Officer 1-3
- Observation and Detention Home Worker
- Provincial Bailiff 1-2
- Correctional Services Recreation Officer 1-3
- Correctional Services Rehabilitation Officer 1-2
- Steam Plant Engineer/Officer
- Supervisor of Juveniles 1-2
- Trade Instructor 1-3
- Oak Ridge Vocational Instruction Officer 1-2
Correctional Officer Category
Correctional Officer 1-3
FXT Category
- FXT members
Probation and Parole Officer Category
- Probation Officer 1-3 (SolGen)
Youth Services Officer Category
- Youth Worker
LockTalk is authorized for distribution by:
Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President, OPSEU/SEFPO
Peter Harding, Chair, Corrections Bargaining Team
Janet Laverty, Vice-Chair, Corrections Bargaining Team