Originally posted November 3, 2022
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On Nov. 2, 2022, the employer sent out a memo to all Sergeants as well as all employees in the Ministry of the Solicitor General regarding the reclassification of Sergeants in our Ministry. This is the most current step in a long process that began more than a decade ago when Sergeants first attempted to unionize.
OPSEU/SEFPO looks forward to welcoming as many current Sergeants into our Correctional Bargaining Unit as possible once the reclassification process is complete. We will be providing updates and information along the way here at www.opseu.org/corsergeants as it comes available.
Process concerns and confidentiality
We have serious concerns about certain aspects of the employer’s plan and how this process has taken place, but due to confidentiality we can’t disclose very many details. The OPS Disclosure Directive has bound OPSEU/SEFPO to confidentiality throughout the process, and we are still bound by it now.
We can tell you that despite the direction of the Grievance Settlement Board (GSB) that the employer and OPSEU/SEFPO work together to determine the next steps regarding the representation of Sergeants, this has not been a negotiation. This has been an entirely employer-driven process.
The employer did not negotiate with us regarding the creation of the new Correctional Supervisor and Correctional Staff Sergeant positions, nor have they consulted with us on how many or which current Sergeants will be assigned to these new positions. There has also been no negotiation on the Correctional Supervisor 9-step wage grid, and we have made it clear to the employer that we oppose it.
The employer has disclosed their intentions to the union, as required, but has refused to negotiate. We may have no choice but to go back to the GSB for further clarification.
A brief history
Sergeants first attempted to unionize more than a decade ago with the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC). AMAPCEO was an intervenor and also sought to unionize the sergeant group. The employer has opposed all unionization attempts.
The Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) issued a decision saying that if Sergeants were to organize a union, it could not be with PSAC because it would not be allowed under the Crown Employees Collective Bargaining Act. The OLRB left the matter to the Grievance Settlement Board (GSB) to determine which union would represent Sergeants in non-managerial roles.
The GSB determined in February 2022 that the only union that can represent Sergeants in non-managerial roles is OPSEU/SEFPO in the Correctional Bargaining Unit. The GSB referred the matter back to the employer and the union to determine next steps for representation. We have been meeting with the employer since that time, but while the employer has disclosed information (which we have been bound by confidentiality from disclosing), they have not negotiated.
We will make all decisions and documents that are public available at www.opseu.org/corsergeants.