Ministry of Labour sets January 10 strike deadline in Corrections talks

TORONTO, Dec. 24, 2015 /CNW/ - Ontario Correctional workers will be in a legal strike or lockout position on January 10, 2016 at 12:01 a.m.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union has confirmed that the Ontario Ministry of Labour issued a "no board" report today with respect to negotiations between the provincial government and OPSEU members in the Correctional Bargaining Unit of the Ontario Public Service. Under provincial law, the strike or lockout deadline comes on the 17^th day after the report is issued.

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

"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 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.

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Tom O'Neill, [phone]