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Ontario Ministry of Labour sets January 10 strike deadline in corrections talks

Our members are determined to be treated fairly, and will take whatever action is called for, up to and including going on strike. It’s certainly safer than going in to work.” — Tom O'Neill, OPSEU corrections bargaining team chair

Toronto (06 Jan. 2016) — Ontario correctional workers will be in a legal strike or lockout position on January 10, 2016 at 12:01 a.m.

Two sides meeting on January 10 to try to reach a deal before strike deadline

The Ontario Ministry of Labour issued a “no board” report on December 24 with respect to negotiations between the provincial government and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) members in the Correctional Bargaining Unit of the Ontario Public Service. Under provincial law, the strike or lockout deadline comes on the 17th day after the report is issued.

No negotiations are scheduled between OPSEU/NUPGE and the government, but the union bargaining team “continues to hope” that the employer will bargain seriously before the deadline, said Tom O'Neill, OPSEU bargaining team chair.

Going on strike may be safer than going to work for Ontario correctional workers

“The crisis in Corrections is real,” O’Neill said. “It cannot even begin to be solved unless and until this employer shows that it respects the frontline workers who put their own health and safety on the line every day.”

The strike deadline comes after 67 per cent of bargaining unit members rejected an earlier tentative agreement signed in late November.

“Our members are determined to be treated fairly, and will take whatever action is called for, up to and including going on strike,” O’Neill said. “It’s certainly safer than going in to work.”

OPSEU/NUPGE represents some 6,000 correctional workers in the Ontario Public Service. They work in correctional facilities and in probation and parole offices across the province.

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The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 360,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE