Ontario’s Corrections and Probation officers may go on strike by mid January.
So at the North Bay Jail, OPSEU union officials and workers wanted to remind the public and the province that they are ready to stand up for what they want.
“We are just sending the signal that we are ready to go,” said Mike Bisallion, an OPSEU Region 6 Executive Board Member and local corrections officer.
“This is about respect for what we do in corrections and we haven’t been respected by the province, we continue to be not respected by the province so today we are saying enough is enough.”
On Friday, OPSEU announced that its 4600 Corrections officers, and another 1300 in Probation could be on the picket line early in the new year as the union filed a no-board report.
The Union, which represents more than 50 guards and probation officers locally, says the no-board report is the first step towards a lockout or strike and an indication that union and the provincial government are too far apart.
Bisallion was joined on the line at the rally by members of the Teachers Union, Steelworkers and representatives from the Labour Council.
With all the labour unrest in the past year, Bisallion believes its important for the labour community to stand out in North Bay.
“I think we are doing that now better than ever,” stated Bisallion.
“We have had a lot of flash points in the last year and I think that’s reflective of that.”
Labour Council Communications Officer Jared Hunt, is glad to see other labour groups at the local rally.
“This group in particular, it’s a terrible time of year to be doing this but they are so incredibly underpaid for the type of work that they do,” stated Hunt.
“They work with a part of society who we forget about. But it doesn't mean the Kathleen Wynne should forget about the frontline service workers that work with theist people.”
Bisallion says he hopes the provincial leadership realizes how strong their resolve is.
“I just hope they understand that we are not playing a game here, we are very serious and we are in for as long as it takes.”
