danielle
05-10-2003, 09:39 AM
Prison staffers protest
Guards say public at risk from tight-fisted feds
By CARY CASTAGNA, POLICE REPORTER
Public safety is being jeopardized by understaffing at Stony Mountain Institution, says the local president of the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers (UCCO).
Rather than pay overtime, management at the medium-security prison is barely reaching minimum staff requirements and regularly leaving posts unmanned, Paul Michaud told The Sun yesterday.
"All we hear is 'budget, budget, budget,' but they continue to spend money on all sorts of things," Michaud said.
Several dozen angry correctional officers from Stony Mountain and Rockwood Institutions converged on federal government offices at 325 Broadway to protest what they call "the sluggish pace of contract negotiations."
STRESSFUL
Members of the UCCO have been without a contract for more than a year.
Besides increased staffing levels, guards are also asking for a pension plan that lets them retire with 70% of their income after 25 years by the age of 50 in light of stressful working conditions.
"It's the long-term stress that shortens your life," Michaud said.
Along with other demands relating to health and safety, the union has also called for a 3% salary increase in the next two years of the collective agreement.
Yesterday's demonstration was one of six held across the country. The others were in Moncton, Ottawa, Edmonton, Saskatoon and Abbotsford.
As part of job action, about 800 correctional officers have withdrawn their voluntary services for training and other activities across the country.
"Our members are extremely angry and frustrated with the collective bargaining," Michaud said. "We're sending a message that we're prepared to go the distance."
Acting assistant warden Linda Garwood-Filbert said yesterday's demonstration didn't affect operations at Stony Mountain Institution.
She referred questions concerning negotiations to the Treasury Board in Ottawa.
A board official couldn't be reached yesterday.
Guards say public at risk from tight-fisted feds
By CARY CASTAGNA, POLICE REPORTER
Public safety is being jeopardized by understaffing at Stony Mountain Institution, says the local president of the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers (UCCO).
Rather than pay overtime, management at the medium-security prison is barely reaching minimum staff requirements and regularly leaving posts unmanned, Paul Michaud told The Sun yesterday.
"All we hear is 'budget, budget, budget,' but they continue to spend money on all sorts of things," Michaud said.
Several dozen angry correctional officers from Stony Mountain and Rockwood Institutions converged on federal government offices at 325 Broadway to protest what they call "the sluggish pace of contract negotiations."
STRESSFUL
Members of the UCCO have been without a contract for more than a year.
Besides increased staffing levels, guards are also asking for a pension plan that lets them retire with 70% of their income after 25 years by the age of 50 in light of stressful working conditions.
"It's the long-term stress that shortens your life," Michaud said.
Along with other demands relating to health and safety, the union has also called for a 3% salary increase in the next two years of the collective agreement.
Yesterday's demonstration was one of six held across the country. The others were in Moncton, Ottawa, Edmonton, Saskatoon and Abbotsford.
As part of job action, about 800 correctional officers have withdrawn their voluntary services for training and other activities across the country.
"Our members are extremely angry and frustrated with the collective bargaining," Michaud said. "We're sending a message that we're prepared to go the distance."
Acting assistant warden Linda Garwood-Filbert said yesterday's demonstration didn't affect operations at Stony Mountain Institution.
She referred questions concerning negotiations to the Treasury Board in Ottawa.
A board official couldn't be reached yesterday.