Liberal government elected: UCCO-SACC-CSN welcomes outcome of election

OTTAWA, Oct. 20, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - It is with a certain sense of relief and a great deal of optimism for the future that the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers (UCCO-SACC-CSN) welcomes the election of a majority government by Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party of Canada.

Without endorsing one party over another, before the election was called UCCO-SACC-CSN always publicly maintained it wanted Stephen Harper's party gone as Conservative policies were detrimental to the work of correctional officers.

"In the past, the Conservatives have targeted labour by seriously restricting our ability to collective bargaining, made cuts to our pension, attacked sick leave benefits, and failed to consult with Canada's front line officers on numerous correctional policies. UCCO-SACC-CSN will continue to fight the injustices imposed by the last government and extend an olive branch to the new government to sit and listen to our concerns", says National President of UCCO-SACC-CSN Kevin Grabowsky. 

We met with Liberal leader Justin Trudeau before the election was called to seek his position on various issues affecting correctional officers.  Mr. Trudeau recognized that there are a substantial number of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) cases among Correctional Officers and he committed to establishing a PTSD action plan. Mr. Trudeau also promised to repeal Bill C-4 that amends the concept of danger in the workplace and makes our jobs more risky. On the subject of the Conservative's Bill C-59, which imposes working conditions on federal employees, the Liberal leader mentioned that he favours negotiation.

We are optimistic that the Liberal Party of Canada will sit down with us and discuss the concerns we raised with them in June prior to the election. It is essential that they honour the commitments they put on the table in order to re-establish credibility and trust with Canada's 7400 front line Correctional Officers.

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

Dave Parent, advisor, CSN Information Service, [phone], [email protected]