Tentative deal reached for Ontario correctional workers

NEWS RELEASE

ONTARIO MINISTRY OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES

************************** Government and OPSEU reach tentative agreement at the Correctional Bargaining Unit table

TORONTO - (March 1) - A tentative agreement has been reached between the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union with respect to the Correctional Bargaining Unit Collective Agreement.

Working with mediator Gerry Lee, the two sides negotiated around the clock to overcome some challenging issues and reached a tentative agreement.

Both the government and the union must ratify the tentative agreement before details can be released.

The Central Collective Agreement and the Unified Bargaining Unit Collective Agreement was ratified by Cabinet on Thursday, February 26, 2009.

"Congratulations to the bargaining teams for their hard work on reaching a consensus and signing this tentative agreement," said Minister of Government Services Ted McMeekin. "I am pleased we have reached a tentative agreement that recognizes the important work of the employees, while ensuring we remain fiscally responsible in these economic times."

The Ministry of Government Services is responsible for negotiating collective agreements with OPSEU for people directly employed by the government.

The Correctional Bargaining Unit collective agreement covers around 5,500 employees, employed in provincial jails, correctional facilities, youth centres and probation and parole offices, who work in a wide-variety of positions in the Ontario Public Service including front line staff such as correctional officers, youth workers and probation and parole officers.

In addition to the tentative agreement with the Correctional Bargaining Unit, the Ontario Government recently ratified a new collective agreement with the Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA), as well as with OPSEU with respect to the Central Collective Agreement and the Unified Bargaining Unit Collective Agreement.

Visit the Ministry of Government Services website to learn more about the role it plays in the delivery of government services.

**************************