Loss of protection in Treatment Centre searches feared (6 photos)
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 by: Jordan Allard
Hoping to avoid a precedent-setting situation, OPSEU Local 678 members expressed their desire to remain protected while conducting weapon searches at the Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre.
At a rally held on Tuesday afternoon in front of their place of employment, union members voiced concerns with management at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre.
On August 13, 2012, correctional officers had their right to wear protective vests during weapons searches revoked by management in Hamilton.
"These types of rulings in our ministry can often set the tone for future decisions," said Ian Turpin, OPSEU Local 678 president.
"We're not going to let that happen this time."
Since their right to don protective vests has been taken away, officers at the Hamilton-Wentworth facility have been showing up to work, but have not been permitted to enter their place of employment without suffering a loss of pay and being subject to discipline from the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
All this stems from correctional officers' demands to wearing something their colleagues in Sault Ste. Marie couldn't imagine working without.
"We need this protection to do our jobs' safety," said Suzanne Kendrick, Local 678 vice president and a guard at the Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre for the past 14 years.
"Public safety begins with officer safety," added Rina Gulli, local correctional officer.
Kendrick has been attacked by inmates numerous times throughout her tenure and said inmates will use anything from a pencil to toothbrush in their violent attempts.
"They'll take anything," she said.
"When it comes to attacking an officer they will use whatever means they have."
Kendrick, who admits feeling fear anytime she enters a dangerous situation with an inmate, says protective vests (like the one shown above, worn by correctional officer Janice Zultek) protect her health and safety.
Since correctional officers in Hamilton had their right to vests removed by upper management, Kendrick said weapon searches have been conducted locally without any issues from management and added there has been no talk of removing protective vests for officers at the Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre.
Kendrick added Tuesday’s protest was a show of support for their colleagues in Hamilton and a reminder they won’t stand if similar action were to be taken in the Sault.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services has filed an illegal strike application against OPSEU Local 248 in Hamilton and a date with the Ontario Labour Relation Board will be set this week.
"We don't consider what they've done an illegal job action," said Turpin.
“They've never refused a return to work. All they've done is refused to work without protective vests."
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3rd times a charm 9/11/2012 4:25:47 PM Reportwow...and how much money did Corrections Canada save by taking away a necessary piece of safety equipment from their employees?
Enough to pay for someone's life when they are fatally attacked by an inmate?
Let the powers that be walk a mile in a prison guards shoes and then they can make stupid decisions like this one...it's an issue of SAFETY and should definitely be compensatable should someone be hurt/disabled/killed while searching an inmate's cell...
sportsfan17 9/11/2012 5:29:07 PM ReportThe fact that this was even allowed to happen in the first place is absurd. Who the hell is running things down there?
Archie 9/11/2012 5:43:33 PM ReportIt is amazing to me that when teachers withdraw services whether justified or not, the public outrage is huge. But, to remove a protective device from a correctional officer in a maximum security institution virtually goes unnoticed. Where has common sense gone..??
We live in a society that has been over-regulated with all kinds of laws and statutes in the interest of keeping people safe.. Helmet laws, seatbelts, building codes, hell we even had to fence off out little train at the park. All because someone COULD get hurt.
It would seem to me that a correctional officer in an institution where there is knowledge that there is a potential weapon on site is indeed facing a dangerous situation. There are some serious hard core people living behind the wall of that place.
Police officers at the Greyhound games are observed wearing vests. Is the Essar Centre considered more dangerous than our Maximum security prison? I assume that it is mandatory for police officers to wear their vests while on duty... but a CO is not allowed to?? Someone needs to give their head a shake. And to have this escalate into a major confrontation where managers are brought in from all over the Province at taxpayer's expense while officers are standing outside their institution willing to work.. insane.
No one would go to a dangerous job site without a hard hart, safety boots or goggles etc. Some would be removed if they did.
I really have to wonder..
speed7 9/11/2012 10:03:40 PM ReportArchie, teachers dowt withdraw services... your government does. That has nothing to do with a corrections officers. Try this one for size...How about teachers dealing with kids in school who bring weapons... ever thought of that one... yes weapons , knives , guns drugs ect... ect... are they vested... hell no. You should be kissing your teacher next time you see one because they deal with alot more than you ever will know. Most of all when you make a statement follow its logic and think again about posting.
frauleinbroomhilda 9/11/2012 10:53:38 PM ReportMaybe if the corrections officers didn't give so much attitude, we all know they were picked on in school, they wouldn't need the vest. They're just wanna be police officers that couldn't get hired. Customs wouldn't even hire these winners. Get a life cry babies!!!!
daduke 9/12/2012 2:42:17 AM Report@fraulein
Are you serious? Last year I was unfortunate enough to spend a couple days in the NTRC. In all my dealings with the COs, I was treated with nothing but respect. Perhaps if your experience is different, it was because of the attitude you went at them with.
These people deserve to have all the equipment needed to keep themselves safe. A vest is a small amount to pay to prevent someone from being injured, or perhaps killed. Forcing them to deal with violent criminals without protection is not only negligent, it is a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Before you start calling people names, I would suggest you take a look at yourself. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!
catmom 9/12/2012 2:52:01 PM ReportStand proud with your colleagues! It is ridiculous to remove protective clothing from people who work in these potentially dangerous situations. No one wants to wait until someone is injured while at at work to say "we should have done something"
mon 9/12/2012 5:13:09 PM ReportI think this is absolutely absurd.
Give them a safe working environment.
speed7 9/12/2012 9:10:51 PM Reportfrauleinbroomhilda just reading your user name made me laugh ... very cute! Not really commenting on your post just want to say username is hilarious and charming. It put a huge smile on my face today. Thanks!
Note: Comments that appear on the site are not the opinion of SooToday.com. Keep discussions civil and on topic. Refrain from obscenity and don't post anything that your grandmother would be ashamed to read. Those who do not abide by these guidelines will have their membership revoked without notice. If you see an abusive post, please click the link beside the post to report it.
