Federal Correctional Officers Support Proposed Changes to Workers' Compensation Amendment Act (Bill 1)

EDMONTON, Oct. 24, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Federal correctional officers will be present in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta today as lawmakers table an amendment making it easier for correctional officers who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to claim workers' compensation benefits.

Bill 1, the Workers' Compensation Amendment Act, already recognizes presumptive coverage for police officers, fire fighters, and emergency medical technicians with PTSD. The amendment's sponsors argue that federal correctional officers should benefit from the same protection.

"We put our safety on the line every day to protect Canadians and we trust that this government recognizes that we should have the same protections as other law enforcement officers and emergency responders," said Kevin Grabowsky, Regional President (Prairies) of UCCO-SACC-CSN, the union representing federal correctional officers.  "We are very pleased that the opposition parties are putting forward this important amendment and recognizing the work we do."

Seventeen percent of federal correctional officers suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, compared to only one percent in the general public, according to a 2003 study commissioned by the union.

More than 1,100 correctional officers work in seven federal penitentiaries located in Alberta. UCCO-SACC-CSN represents all 7,400 federal correctional officers working at 52 correctional facilities across Canada.

SOURCE: UNION OF CANADIAN CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS (UCCO-SACC-CSN)

Source :
Union of Canadian Correctional Officers (UCCO-SACC-CSN)

For more information:
Richard Hink, CSN Communications Service
514 404-5367 (cell)
514 598-2163 (office)