KAWARTHA LAKES-The union representing Correctional Officers at the Lindsay jail and the Ministry of Community Safety and Corrections have been meeting to discuss safety within the institution. “We met with the employer to discuss solutions moving forward. The employer agreed to sit down at the table with us to discuss safety within the institution and listen and discuss potential solutions. “Union Local 368 President Chris Butsch told Kawartha 411.
Staff at the Central East Correctional Centre walked off the job in a health and safety work refusal on February 20th. Staff said it was to protest “violence and assaults” at the facility. “It is a lot, it’s been increasing every year” Chris Butsch, Local 368 Union President told Kawartha 411 in January. “Its hard for people to deal with even on the inside, even though we are accustomed to all these things, threats and assaults, it’s becoming so rampant that how do you defend yourself?”
An investigative report by Kawartha 411 found there were almost 900 violent incidents at the jail in 2017. Read more here- https://www.kawartha411.ca/2018/01/31/almost-900-charges-laid-at-the-lindsay-jail-in-2017/
The staff was ordered back to work a few hours later after the Ministry of Labour ruled they had no right to refuse to work.
The union and health and safety team met with the Ministry on February 21st to start those discussions and plan to meet again to continue the conversation. “We hope that the result of these discussions will result in some positive change.” Butsch says.
