Media Advisory - OPSEU/SEFPO President Thomas available for media conference re EMDC

LONDON, ON, July 22, 2021 /CNW/ - Following recent events at the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre (EMDC), OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas will be available for a media conference to respond to questions and discuss the latest developments at EMDC. Thomas will be joined by OPSEU/SEFPO Corrections Ministry-Employee Relations Committee (MERC) Co-Chair Chad Oldfield and OPSEU/SEFPO First Vice-President/Treasurer Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida.

Since July 17, and following a series of unsubstantiated media reports covering the incident, members of biker gangs, including the Hells Angels and the Gatekeepers, have been harassing correctional staff at the facility by stopping cars, photographing staff, photographing licence plates, and spitting on their cars upon entry to the workplace. Smoke grenades have been found on site, and staff are also being threatened on social media.

President Thomas has written to Ontario's Solicitor General Sylvia Jones demanding she take immediate action to protect front-line correctional staff and denounce the vicious threats and harassment by outlaw biker gangs.

"Nobody should go to work threatened with violence," said Thomas. "Especially our brave front-line heroes who risk their own lives every day to keep our communities, and inmates, safe."

To register to participate and receive the Zoom link contact [email protected] with your name and news organization.

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO)

[email protected]

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