Managers running Sault Jail

Managers are running the Sault Ste. Marie Jail after essential workers there, members of the striking Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), walked off the job in a health and safety complaint.

Speaking to SooToday News from Hamilton, Julia Noonan, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Correctional Services, said tonight that employees deemed to be essential workers are also off the job at a majority of the province's 40 correctional facilities.

The Sault jail is currently being run entirely by managers, Noonan said.

Noonan added that the Government has asked the Ontario Labour Relations Board to intervene to ensure the workers comply with an essential services agreement signed by the union and the government prior to this week's strike by OPSEU members province-wide.

Assault alleged

OPSEU, meanwhile, has asked City Police to investigate allegations of an assault within the jail this afternoon.

The strike by provincial workers started early Wednesday morning. It affects about 800 Sault Ste. Marie OPSEU members, about 150 of whom are considered essential workers.

For security reasons, Noonan wouldn't say how many OPSEU members at the Sault Jail fit into that category.

Joe Wright, president of OPSEU Local 608, told SooToday News that there were allegations of an assault within the jail today, and his members withdrew to a safe place, the picket line, as allowed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Waiting outside in uniform

When he spoke to us at 9:30 p.m., Wright said the afternoon staff were still outside the facility, in uniform, waiting to return to work. The night shift was expected to arrive within the hour, he said.

Police were called to investigate the assault allegation, which Wright said does not involve inmates.

The union is waiting for a joint management/labour meeting to discuss both the alleged assault and health and safety concerns, Wright said.

He said that one member of his bargaining group, a nurse, remained inside the jail.

To receive free, real-time email updates of SooToday.com's exclusive coverage of local news, just send an Email with "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line to [email protected].